Forward-backward multiplicity fluctuation and longitudinal harmonics in high-energy nuclear collisions

In this paper, an analysis method is proposed to study the forward-backward (FB) multiplicity fluctuation in high-energy nuclear collisions, built on the earlier work of Bzdak and Teaney [Phys. Rev. C 87, 024906 (2013)]. The method allows the decomposition of the centrality dependence of average multiplicity from the dynamical event-by-event (EbyE) fluctuation of multiplicity in pseudorapidity. Application of the method to AMPT (A Multi-Phase Transport model) and HIJING (Heavy Ion Jet INteraction Generator) models shows that the long-range component of the FB correlation is captured by a few longitudinal harmonics, with the first component driven by the asymmetry in the number of participating nucleons in the two colliding nuclei. The higher-order longitudinal harmonics are found to be strongly damped in AMPT compared to HIJING, due to weaker short-range correlations as well as the final-state effects present in the AMPT model. Two-particle pseudorapidity correlation reveals interesting charge-dependent short-range structures that are absent in HIJING model. Lastly, the proposed method opens an avenue to elucidate the particle production mechanism and early time dynamics in heavy-ion collisions. Future analysis directions and prospects of using the pseudorapidity correlation function to understand the centrality bias in p + p, p + A, and A + A collisions are discussed.