Charge-dependent Azimuthal Correlations in Relativistic Heavy-ion Collisions and Electromagnetic Effects

Abstract

We propose a scenario where the pattern of the recently observed charge-dependent azimuthal correlations can be understood qualitatively. This is based on the cluster picture and the assumption that the charged hadrons that flow outward from the surface of the overlapping region of the colliding nuclei move primarily parallel to the reaction plane. We also point out the there is a strong electric field induced by the transient magnetic field during the parton production in the initial phase of the relativistic heavy-ion collision and discuss its possible relevance to the scenario.Comment: Revised version to be published in Phys. Rev.