85 Chapter 3: v$_{2}$ vs. R$_{AA}$ as a Constraint on sQGP Dynamics and α$_{s}$ = . 4 gives dN rad g /dy ∼ 1000 from Eq. (3.9) and dN abs g /dy ∼ 3000 from Eq. (3.10) in 0-5% most central collisions. Not only are the two values inconsistent, but the dN$_{g}$/dy value needed to create the necessary absorption is rather large. Keeping the other quantities fixed but changing E to 10 GeV, one finds dN$_{g}$/dy ∼ 1000 from Eq. (3.9) and dN abs g /dy ∼ 9000 from Eq. (3.10). The huge increase of dN$_{g}$/dy to values inconsistent with the Rhic entropy data reflects the E 2 dependence of the Detailed Balance absorption. It seems the only way to have a large enough energy gain while maintaining a dN$_{g}$/dy ∼ 1000 is to increase α$_{s}$ above 1. Moreover, these calculations were performed using a hard sphere nuclear geometry profile, which naturally enhances v$_{2}$ . For the more realistic Woods-Saxon profile, κ would have to increase significantly. Correspondingly, k would rise to counter the quenching of R$_{AA}$ , aggravating the problem of unseemingly large dN abs g /dy . Building on the success of radiative energy loss in reproducing R$_{AA}$ ( p$_{T}$ ), and supposing that latent heat, the bag constant, the screening mass, or other deconfinement effects might provide a small ( ∼ 1 GeV) momentum boost to partons in the direction normal to the surface of emission, we created a new model based on the GREL model that includes a momentum “punch,” Δ p$_{T}$ . After propagating to the edge of the medium with GREL, the parton’s final, “punched-up” momentum and angle of emission are recomputed, giving a new 3.4 Success of the Punch