We report measurements of single-particle inclusive spectra and two-particle azimuthal distributions of charged hadrons at high transverse momentum (high $p_T$) in minimum bias and central d+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$=200 GeV. The inclusive yield is enhanced in d+Au collisions relative to binary-scaled p+p collisions, while the two-particle azimuthal distributions are very similar to those observed in p+p collisions. These results demonstrate that the strong suppression of the inclusive yield and back-to-back correlations at high $p_T$ previously observed in central Au+Au collisions are due to final-state interactions with the dense medium generated in such collisions.
Uncorrected charged particle multiplicity distributions measured in −3.8 < $\eta$ < −2.8 (Au-direction) for d+Au collisions. Points are for minimum bias (triangles) and peripheral (circles, ZDC-d single neutron) collisions. Both are normalized to the total number of d+Au collisions. Histograms are Glauber model calculations.
Inclusive $p_{T}$ distributions for minimum bias and central d+Au collisions, and non-singly diffractive p+p collisions. Hash marks at the top indicate bin boundaries for $p_{T}$ > 3.8 GeV/c.
$R_{AB}(p_{T})$ from Eq. 1 for minimum bias and central d+Au collisions, and central Au+Au collisions. The minimum bias d+Au data are displaced 100 MeV/c to the right for clarity. The error bars are the quadrature sum of the statistical and point-to-point systematic uncertainties. The bands show the normalization uncertainties, which are highly correlated point-to-point and between the two d+Au distributions.
We report high statistics measurements of inclusive charged hadron production in Au+Au and p+p collisions at \sqrtsNN=200 GeV. A large, approximately constant hadron suppression is observed in central Au+Au collisions for $5\lt\pT\lt12$ GeV/c. The collision energy dependence of the yields and the centrality and \pT dependence of the suppression provide stringent constraints on theoretical models of suppression. Models incorporating initial-state gluon saturation or partonic energy loss in dense matter are largely consistent with observations. We observe no evidence of \pT-dependent suppression, which may be expected from models incorporating jet attentuation in cold nuclear matter or scattering of fragmentation hadrons.
Inclusive invariant pT distributions of (h+ + h−)/2 for centrality-selected Au+Au and p+p NSD interactions. Hash marks at the top indicate bin boundaries for pT>4 GeV/c.The invariant cross section for p+p is indicated on the right vertical axis.
R200/130(pT ) vs. pT for (h+ + h−)/2 for four different centrality bins. The overall normalization uncertainty is +6−14% for the 40-60% bin and is negligible for the other panels. Calculations are described in the text.
RAA(pT) (Eq. 1) for (h+ + h−)/2 in |η|<0.5, for centrality-selected Au+Au spectra relative to the measured p+p spectrum. The p+p spectrum is common to all panels. Calculations are described in the text.
The balance function is a new observable based on the principle that charge is locally conserved when particles are pair produced. Balance functions have been measured for charged particle pairs and identified charged pion pairs in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 130 GeV at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider using STAR. Balance functions for peripheral collisions have widths consistent with model predictions based on a superposition of nucleon-nucleon scattering. Widths in central collisions are smaller, consistent with trends predicted by models incorporating late hadronization.
The balance function versus ∆η for charged particle pairs from a) central and peripheral Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 130 GeV and mixed events from central and peripheral Au+Au collisions, and b) HIJING events filtered with GEANT [16] and shuffled pseudorapidity events from central and peripheral Au+Au collisions. To guide the eye, Gaussian fits excluding the lowest bin in ∆η are shown. The error bars shown are statistical. The balance function for HIJING events is independent of centrality.
The balance function versus ∆η for charged particle pairs from a) central and peripheral Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 130 GeV and mixed events from central and peripheral Au+Au collisions, and b) HIJING events filtered with GEANT [16] and shuffled pseudorapidity events from central and peripheral Au+Au collisions. To guide the eye, Gaussian fits excluding the lowest bin in ∆η are shown. The error bars shown are statistical. The balance function for HIJING events is independent of centrality.
The width of the balance function for charged particles, $⟨\Delta \eta⟩$, as a function of normalized impact parameter $(b/b_{max})$. Error bars shown are statistical. The width of the balance function from HIJING events is shown as a band whose height reflects the statistical uncertainty. Also shown are the widths from the shuffled pseudorapidity events.
Values of the ratios in the mid-rapidity yields of anti-Lambda/Lambda = 0.71 +/- 0.01(stat.) +/- 0.04(sys.), anti-Xi+/Xi- = 0.83 +/- 0.04(stat.) +/- 0.05 (sys.), anti-Omega+/Omega- = 0.95 +/- 0.15(stat) +/- 0.05(sys.) and K+/K- 1.092 +/- 0.023(combined) were obtained in central sqrt(s_NN) = 130 GeV Au+Au collisions using the STAR detector. The ratios indicate that a fraction of the net-baryon number from the initial system is present in the excess of hyperons over anti-hyperons at mid-rapidity. The trend in the progression of the baryon ratios, with increasing strange quark content, is similar to that observed in heavy-ion collisions at lower energies. The value of these ratios may be related to the charged kaon ratio in the framework of simple quark-counting and thermal models.
Invariant mass distributions for $\Lambda$ and Anti-$\Lambda$
Invariant mass distributions for $\Xi$ and Anti-$\Xi$
Invariant mass distributions for $\Omega$ and Anti-$\Omega$
Azimuthal correlations for large transverse momentum charged hadrons have been measured over a wide pseudo-rapidity range and full azimuth in Au+Au and p+p collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV. The small-angle correlations observed in p+p collisions and at all centralities of Au+Au collisions are characteristic of hard-scattering processes already observed in elementary collisions. A strong back-to-back correlation exists for p+p and peripheral Au + Au. In contrast, the back-to-back correlations are reduced considerably in the most central Au+Au collisions, indicating substantial interaction as the hard-scattered partons or their fragmentation products traverse the medium.
Azimuthal distributions of opposite-sign pairs in p+p collisions. All correlation functions require a trigger particle with $4<p_T^{\rm trig}<6$ GeV/$c$ and associated particles with $2<p_T<p_T^{\rm trig}$ GeV/$c$.
Azimuthal distributions of same-sign pairs in p+p collisions. All correlation functions require a trigger particle with $4<p_T^{\rm trig}<6$ GeV/$c$ and associated particles with $2<p_T<p_T^{\rm trig}$ GeV/$c$.
Azimuthal distributions of same-sign and opposite-sign pairs in minimum bias and background-subtracted 0-10% central Au+Au collisions. All correlation functions require a trigger particle with $4<p_T^{\rm trig}<6$ GeV/$c$ and associated particles with $2<p_T<p_T^{\rm trig}$ GeV/$c$.
Inclusive transverse momentum distributions of charged hadrons within 0.2<pT<6.0 GeV/c have been measured over a broad range of centrality for Au+Au collisions at sqrt(sNN)=130 GeV. Hadron yields are suppressed at high pT in central collisions relative to peripheral collisions and to a nucleon-nucleon reference scaled for collision geometry. Peripheral collisions are not suppressed relative to the nucleon-nucleon reference. The suppression varies continuously at intermediate centralities. The results indicate significant nuclear medium effects on high pT hadron production in heavy ion collisions at high energy.
Inclusive $p_T$ distributions of ($h^+ + h^−)/2$. Non-central bins are scaled down by the indicated factors. The combined statistical and systematic errors are shown. Curves are fits to Eq. (2). Hash marks at the top indicate bin boundaries for $p_T>1.5$ GeV/c.
Ratio of charged hadron yields within $|\eta| < 0.5$ for central over peripheral collisions, normalized to $\langle Nbin\rangle$.
$R_{AA}$($p_T$) for various centrality bins, for Au+Au relative to an NN reference spectrum. Error bars are described in the text. Errors between different $p_T$ and centrality bins are highly correlated.
Mid-rapidity transverse mass spectra and multiplicity densities of charged and neutral kaons are reported for Au+Au collisions at $\snn$=130 GeV at RHIC. The spectra are exponential in transverse mass, with an inverse slope of about 280 MeV in central collisions. The multiplicity densities for these particles scale with the negative hadron pseudo-rapidity density. The charged kaon to pion ratios are $K^+/\pi^- = 0.161 \pm 0.002 {\rm (stat)} \pm 0.024 {\rm (syst)}$ and $K^-/\pi^- = 0.146 \pm 0.002 {\rm (stat)} \pm 0.022 {\rm (syst)}$ for the most central collisions. The $K^+/\pi^-$ ratio is lower than the same ratio observed at the SPS while the $K^-/\pi^-$ is higher than the SPS result. Both ratios are enhanced by about 50% relative to p+p and $\bar{\rm p}$+p collision data at similar energies.
Transverse mass distributions for different centralities: dE/dx identified charged kaons. K+
Transverse mass distributions for different centralities: dE/dx identified charged kaons. K-
Transverse mass distributions for different centralities: Neutral Kaons.
Elliptic flow holds much promise for studying the early-time thermalization attained in ultrarelativistic nuclear collisions. Flow measurements also provide a means of distinguishing between hydrodynamic models and calculations which approach the low density (dilute gas) limit. Among the effects that can complicate the interpretation of elliptic flow measurements are azimuthal correlations that are unrelated to the reaction plane (non-flow correlations). Using data for Au + Au collisions at sqrt{s_{NN}} = 130 GeV from the STAR TPC, it is found that four-particle correlation analyses can reliably separate flow and non-flow correlation signals. The latter account for on average about 15% of the observed second-harmonic azimuthal correlation, with the largest relative contribution for the most peripheral and the most central collisions. The results are also corrected for the effect of flow variations within centrality bins. This effect is negligible for all but the most central bin, where the correction to the elliptic flow is about a factor of two. A simple new method for two-particle flow analysis based on scalar products is described. An analysis based on the distribution of the magnitude of the flow vector is also described.
Correlation between the event plane angles determined from pairs of subevents partitioned randomly (circles), partitioned with opposite signs of pseudorapidity (squares) and partitioned with opposite signs of charge (crosses). The correlation is plotted as a function of centrality, namely, charged particle multiplicity $n_{ch}$ divided by the maximum observed charged multiplicity, $n_{max}$.
The event plane resolution for full events as a function of centrality, using randomly partitioned subevents with (circles) and without (triangles) $p_{t}$ weight.
Elliptic flow signal $v_{2}$ as a function of centrality, from study of the correlation between particle pairs consisting of randomly chosen particles (circles), particles with opposite signs of charge (crosses), particles with the same signs of charge (triangles), and particles with opposite signs of pseudorapidity (squares).
We report the first observation of $K^{\star}(892)^{0}\to\pi K$ in relativistic heavy ion collisions. The transverse momentum spectrum of $(K^{\star0}+\bar{K}^{\star0})/2$ from central Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=130$ GeV is presented. The ratios of the $K^{\star0}$ yield derived from these data to the yields of negative hadrons, charged kaons, and $\phi$ mesons have been measured in central and minimum bias collisions and compared with model predictions and comparable $e^{+}e^{-}$, $pp$, and $\bar{p}p$ results. The data indicate no dramatic reduction of $K^{\star0}$ production in relativistic heavy ion collisions despite expected losses due to rescattering effects.
Transverse mass spectrum of K*0 with YRAP = -0.5 to 0.5 for the 14 PCT most central interactions. Numerical values requested from the authors.
K*0 to negative hadron ratio using hadron data from Adler et al PRL 87,112303(2001).
K*0 to kaon ratio using STAR kaon data.
We report the first measurement of strange ($\Lambda$) and anti-strange ($\bar{\Lambda}$) baryon production from $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=130$ GeV Au+Au collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Rapidity density and transverse mass distributions at mid-rapidity are presented as a function of centrality. The yield of $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons is found to be approximately proportional to the number of negative hadrons. The production of $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons relative to negative hadrons increases very rapidly with transverse momentum. The magnitude of the increase cannot be described by existing hadronic string fragmentation models.
Transverse mass distributions of $\Lambda$ at mid-rapidity ($|y|<0.5$) for selected centrality bins. Only statistical errors are listed. Combined systematic errors estimated to be $10\%$. The dashed lines are Boltzmann fits. Note that multiplicative factors have been applied to data from the two most central data sets for display.
Transverse mass distributions of $\bar\Lambda$ at mid-rapidity ($|y|<0.5$) for selected centrality bins. Only statistical errors are listed. Combined systematic errors estimated to be $10\%$. The dashed lines are Boltzmann fits. Note that multiplicative factors have been applied to data from the two most central data sets for display.
The mid-rapidity $\bar\Lambda$ ($|y|<0.5$) transverse momentum distribution from the top $5\%$ most central collisions. For comparison the distributions for negative hadrons ($d^{2}N/(2 \pi p_{T})dp_{T}d\eta$, $|\eta|<0.1$) and anti-protons ($|y|<0.1$) for the similar centrality bin are included. Only statistical errors are listed. Statistical errors are less than the size of the data points. Combined systematic errors on hyperons estimated to be $10\%$. Correlated systematic errors for negative hadrons estimated to be $6\%$. Systematic errors on antiprotons are $8\%$ point-to-point and $10\%$ in the overall normalization.