Methods for analyzing anisotropic flow in relativistic nuclear collisions

TLDR

The paper outlines the strategy and techniques for analyzing anisotropic flow (directed, elliptic, etc.). It presents these methods in the context of relativistic nuclear collisions. The authors emphasize Fourier expansion of azimuthal distributions, provide formulae showing how event multiplicity affects event‑plane resolution, and discuss non‑flow correlations and a simulation method to introduce flow. They demonstrate that event multiplicity influences event‑plane resolution and outline non‑flow correlations and a simulation approach to incorporate flow.

Abstract

The strategy and techniques for analyzing anisotropic flow (directed, elliptic, etc.) in relativistic nuclear collisions are presented. The emphasis is on the use of the Fourier expansion of azimuthal distributions. We present formulae relevant for this approach, and in particular, show how the event multiplicity enters into the event plane resolution. We also discuss the role of non-flow correlations and a method for introducing flow into a simulation.