Charge-dependent flow as evidence of strong electromagnetic fields in heavy-ion collisions

Abstract

The extremely large electromagnetic fields generated in heavy-ion collisions provide access to novel observables that are expected to constrain various key transport properties of the quark-gluon plasma and could help solve one of the outstanding puzzles in QCD: The strong CP problem. In this review we present a brief overview of the theoretical and experimental characterization of these electromagnetic fields. After reviewing the current state, emphasizing one of the observables-the charge-dependent flow-we discuss the various discrepancies between the measurements and theoretical predictions. Finally, to help resolve the discrepancies, we suggest new measurements and theoretical ideas.