One of the key signatures of the Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP) is the modification
of hadron and direct photon spectra in heavy-ion collisions as compared to
proton-proton (pp) collisions. Suppression of hadron production at high
transverse momenta in heavy-ion collisions can be explained by the energy loss
of the partons produced in the hard scattering processes which traverse the hot
and dense QCD matter. The dependence of the observed suppression on the
transverse momentum (pT) of the measured hadron towards higher pT is an
important input for the theoretical understanding of jet quenching effects in
the QGP and the nature of energy loss. Another key observable which has helped
establish the energy loss picture, is high pT direct photon production for
which no suppression is expected. For low pT photon production, it is expected
that thermal sources will lead to enhancement of direct photons. We report an
overview of photon and neutral meson production measurements by the ALICE
experiment at the LHC in heavy-ion and pp collisions.Comment: 6 pages, 10 figures, Conference Proceeding