Effect of Jet Quenching on High-$p_T$ Hadron Spectra in High-energy Nuclear Collisions

Abstract

Since large $p_T$ particles in high-energy hadronic or nuclear collisions come from jet fragmentation, jet quenching due to parton energy loss in dense matter will cause the suppression of large $p_T$ hadron spectra in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. Assuming an effective energy loss $dE/dx$ for the high $E_T$ partons, effective jet fragmentation functions are constructed in which leading hadrons will be suppressed. Using such effective fragmentation functions, high $p_T$ hadron spectra and particle suppression factors relative to $pp$ collisions are estimated in central high-energy nuclear collisions with a given range of the assumed $dE/dx$. It is found that the suppression factors are very sensitive to the value of the effective energy loss. Systematic nuclear and flavor dependence of the hadron spectra are also studied.