Do QGP Droplets Drive Anisotropy in Small Systems? Insights from RHIC and the LHC

Azimuthal anisotropy scaling functions for identified mesons and baryons are analyzed in large (Pb+Pb at (sqrt{s_{NN}} = 2.76) and 5.02~TeV, Au+Au at (sqrt{s_{NN}} = 200)~GeV) and small (p+Pb at (sqrt{s_{NN}} = 5.02) and 8.16~TeV, p+Au, d+Au, and (^3)He+Au at (sqrt{s_{NN}} = 200)~GeV) collision systems. The scaling functions' fidelity supports a hydrodynamic-like origin for the anisotropies in the flow-dominated regime. In large systems, anisotropies reflect QGP-driven expansion with strong radial flow and significant jet quenching. In small systems at RHIC, p+Au, d+Au, and (^3)He+Au show hadronic-dominated dynamics, with strong re-scattering, negligible radial flow, and suppressed jet quenching following the hierarchy: p+Au (>) d+Au (>) (^3)He+Au. At the LHC, ultra-central p+Pb collisions display enhanced radial flow, reduced re-scattering, and small but nonzero jet quenching. Scaling violations at high (p_T) reflect the partial suppression of partonic energy loss. These findings demonstrate that QGP-like behavior in small systems depends on both system size and beam energy, establishing the scaling framework as a robust tool for probing medium properties across diverse collision conditions.