Predictions for $R_{AA}$ in 5.36 TeV C+C, O+O, and Ne+Ne collisions at the LHC

Abstract

Experiments on collisions of light nuclei at $\sqrt{s}=5.36$ TeV have recently begun at the LHC. In this regard we make predictions for nuclear modification factor $R_{AA}$ in 5.36 TeV C+C, O+O, and Ne+Ne collisions for scenarios with and without quark-gluon plasma formation in $pp$ collisions. We find a sizeable difference in $R_{AA}$ for these two scenarios, which grows with decreasing atomic number. This says that data on $R_{AA}$ for light nuclei could potentially give information on the presence of jet quenching in $pp$ collisions.