Simple Formula for High-Energy Gluon Bremsstrahlung in a Finite, Expanding Medium

Abstract

Previous authors have considered the problem of the medium effects on single gluon bremsstrahlung associated with producing a high-energy particle in a finite, time-dependent QCD plasma. Working to leading logarithmic order, I show that the result for the bremsstrahlung gluon spectrum can be cast into a remarkably simple form in the general case. I similarly analyze the process of pair production. Also, I comment on the radius of convergence of the opacity expansion in cases where the leading-log approximation holds, showing that the opacity expansion does not converge when the thickness of the plasma is greater than roughly the bremsstrahlung formation time. Additionally, as a special bonus -- available for a limited time only while supplies last! -- I summarize translations between the notation used by a few of the groups who have worked on this and related problems.