Can high-$p_\perp$ theory and data constrain $\eta/s$?

Abstract

Understanding the temperature dependence of the specific shear viscosity $(\eta/s)$ is crucial for characterizing the properties of the QCD matter produced in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions. Since, low-$p_\perp$ theory and data are only weakly sensitive to the typical forms of $\eta/s(T)$, especially at high temperatures, we use high-$p_\perp$ data and theory to impose additional constraints on it. Our approach, based on dynamical radiative and collisional energy loss of high-$p_\perp$ particles, provides promising results in constraining the temperature dependence of $\eta/s$.