Measurement of π⁰-hadron correlations relative to the event plane in semicentral Pb-Pb collisions at √SNN = 5.02 TeV

Per-trigger yields of 𝜋0−hadron correlations were measured in semicentral Pb-Pb collisions at √𝑠NN=5.02TeV in ALICE at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The reconstructed 𝜋0→𝛾⁢𝛾, with a transverse momentum of 11GeV/𝑐<𝑝T⁡(𝜋0)<14GeV/𝑐, is used as the trigger particle to calculate yields of associated charged particles on the near- and away-side. The photons are reconstructed using the ALICE Electromagnetic Calorimeter, and the charged particles are measured in the ALICE central barrel within a pseudorapidity range of |𝜂|<0.8. The yields are reported relative to the orientation of the 𝜋0 with the second-order event plane and are background subtracted using the reaction-plane fit method. The data give an indication of a suppression of the associated charged-particle yields near 𝑝T≈2GeV/𝑐 when comparing out-of-plane to in-plane trigger particles. At associated charged-particle 𝑝T>3 GeV/𝑐, no significant event-plane dependence is observed within uncertainties. The results are compared with predictions from the JEWEL model, which implements jet energy loss in an expanding medium. JEWEL predicts no significant modification of either the near- or away-side associated yields, independent of whether medium recoils are included. The observed behavior may indicate the presence of additional energy-loss mechanisms beyond those governed by path-length dependence.