Dynamical correlations across momentum scales in the quark–gluon plasma

Experimental probes of the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) generated in heavy–ion collisions span a broad range in momentum scale: low transverse momentum (low p T ) measurements probe collective dynamics, while high p T measurements probe the response to QGP excitation by jets (jet quenching). However, the dynamical interplay between QGP collective dynamics and jet quenching is currently poorly understood. We present a new framework for exploring dynamical correlations across momentum scales in heavy–ion collisions, based on the p T –differential radial-flow observable v 0 ( p T ). Measured v 0 ( p T ) phenomenology is traced to the evolution in strength and coherence of distinct underlying fluctuation modes. We then propose new experimental observables to quantify this evolution. The eigenvalue spectrum of the reference-aligned covariance matrix V 0 characterizes the effective fluctuation rank, while the ratio λ 2 / λ 1 provides a compact measure of the leading departure from single-mode behavior. The p T -dependence of the corresponding eigenvectors then maps the evolution from a single coherent soft mode to multi-mode dynamics including coalescence and jet quenching. These novel, experimentally accessible observables provide unique insight into dynamical correlations across momentum scales in the QGP.