Initial eccentricity fluctuations and their relation to higher-order flow harmonics

Monte Carlo simulations are used to compute the centrality dependence of the participant eccentricities (É_n) in Au+Au collisions for the two primary models currently employed for eccentricity estimates-the Glauber and the factorized Kharzeev-Levin-Nardi (fKLN) models. They suggest specific testable predictions for the magnitude and centrality dependence of the flow coefficients v_n, respectively measured relative to the event planes Ψ_n. They also indicate that the ratios of several of these coefficients may provide an additional constraint for distinguishing between the models. Such a constraint could be important for a more precise determination of the specific viscosity of the matter produced in heavy ion collisions.