QCD Collisional Energy Loss Reexamined

Abstract

It is shown that at a large temperature and E --> infinity the QCD collisional energy loss reads dE/dx approximately alpha(m(D)2)T2. Compared to previous approaches, which led to dE(B)/dx approximately alpha2 T2 ln(ET/m(D)2) similar to the Bethe-Bloch formula in QED, we take into account the running of the strong coupling. As one significant consequence, due to asymptotic freedom, dE/dx becomes E independent for large parton energies. Some implications with regard to heavy ion collisions are pointed out.