Speaker
Description
For over a decade, the question of whether or not small systems such as $p$Pb form a Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) has been hotly debated. A central piece of evidence is the presence of anisotropic flow, which can be interpreted as a hydrodynamic response to initial geometry. The problem with this argument is that the initial geometry of $p$Pb is poorly understood. Over the past year, data from light ion collisions has injected new life into the discussion. For light ion collisions, the initial geometry is well under control, allowing for precise quantitative model-to-data comparisons. This seems to affirm the statement that small systems are hydrodynamic. In addition, since small systems are more sensitive to the early stages of the collision compared to large systems, we are presented with a unique opportunity to learn more about these poorly understood aspects of ion collisions.
