Hexagonal flow v_6 as a superposition of elliptic v_2 and triangular v_3 flows

Abstract

Partial contributions of elliptic v_2 and triangular v_3 flows to the hexagonal v_6 flow are studied within the HYDJET++ model for Pb+Pb collisions at sqrt{s}=2.76 TeV. Scaling of the ratio v_6^{1/6}{Psi_2} / v_2^{1/2}{Psi_2} in the elliptic flow plane, Psi_2, is predicted in the range 1 < p_T < 4 GeV/c for semicentral and semiperipheral collisions. Jets increase this ratio by about 10% and also cause its rise at p_T > 3.5 GeV/c. The part of v_6 coming from v_2 is instantly increasing as the reaction becomes more peripheral, whereas the contribution of v_3 to v_6 drops. This behavior explains the experimentally observed increase of correlations between second and sixth harmonics and decrease of correlations between third and sixth harmonics with rising impact parameter $b$. Our study favors the idea that basic features of the hexagonal flow can be understood in terms of the interplay of elliptic and triangular flows.