We report results for $K/\pi$ fluctuations from Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 19.6, 62.4, 130, and 200 GeV using the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Our results for $K/\pi$ fluctuations in central collisions show little dependence on the incident energies studied and are on the same order as results observed by NA49 at the Super Proton Synchrotron in central Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 12.3 and 17.3 GeV. We also report results for the collision centrality dependence of $K/\pi$ fluctuations as well as results for $K^{+}/\pi^{+}$, $K^{-}/\pi^{-}$, $K^{+}/\pi^{-}$, and $K^{-}/\pi^{+}$ fluctuations. We observe that the $K/\pi$ fluctuations scale with the multiplicity density, $dN/d\eta$, rather than the number of participating nucleons.
(Color online) The event-by-event $K/\pi$ ratio for 200 GeV Au+Au central collisions (0-5%) compared with the same quantity calculated from mixed events. The inset shows the ratio of the distribution from real events to that from mixed events. The errors shown are statistical.
(Color online) The event-by-event $K/\pi$ ratio for 200 GeV Au+Au central collisions (0-5%) compared with the same quantity calculated from mixed events. The inset shows the ratio of the distribution from real events to that from mixed events. The errors shown are statistical.
(Color online) Measured dynamical $K/\pi$ fluctuations in terms of σdyn for central collisions (0 - 5%) of 19.6, 62.4, 130, and 200 GeV Au+Au compared with the central collisions (0 - 3.5%) of Pb+Pb from NA49 [7] and the statistical hadronization (SH) model of Ref. [14]. The solid line represents the relationship of the incident energy dependence of $\sigma_{dyn}$ in central collisions to the collision centrality dependence of $\nu_{dyn,K\pi}$ at higher energies. Both statistical (vertical line with horizontal bar) and systematic (no vertical line) error bars are shown for the experimental data.
Transverse mass and rapidity distributions for charged pions, charged kaons, protons and antiprotons are reported for sqrt{s_NN}=200 GeV pp and Au+Au collisions at RHIC. The transverse mass distributions are rapidity independent within |y|<0.5, consistent with a boost-invariant system in this rapidity interval. Spectral shapes and relative particle yields are similar in pp and peripheral Au+Au collisions and change smoothly to central Au+Au collisions. No centrality dependence was observed in the kaon and antiproton production rates relative to the pion production rate from medium-central to central collisions. Chemical and kinetic equilibrium model fits to our data reveal strong radial flow and relatively long duration from chemical to kinetic freeze-out in central Au+Au collisions. The chemical freeze-out temperature appears to be independent of initial conditions at RHIC energies.
invariant yield as function of transverse mass for $\pi^{\pm},K^{\pm}$ and inclusive $p$ and $\bar{p}$ at mid-rapidity ($|y|<0.1$) for pp (bottom) and Au+Au events from $70-80\%$ (second bottom) to the $0-5\%$ centrality bin (top). Statistical and point-to-point systematic errors have been added in quadrature. Additional correlated systematic error due to uncertainty in the normalization is estimated to be $5\%$. Open circles are for positive particles (all proton spectra are scaled by 0.8), and closed triangles are for negative particles. The curves shown (Bose-Einstein fits for $\pi^-$ and blast-wave model fits for $K^-$ and $\bar{p}$) are explained in the text.
invariant yield as function of transverse mass for $\pi^{\pm},K^{\pm}$ and inclusive $p$ and $\bar{p}$ at mid-rapidity ($|y|<0.1$) for pp (bottom) and Au+Au events from $70-80\%$ (second bottom) to the $0-5\%$ centrality bin (top). Statistical and point-to-point systematic errors have been added in quadrature. Additional correlated systematic error due to uncertainty in the normalization is estimated to be $5\%$. Open circles are for positive particles (all proton spectra are scaled by 0.8), and closed triangles are for negative particles. The curves shown (Bose-Einstein fits for $\pi^-$ and blast-wave model fits for $K^-$ and $\bar{p}$) are explained in the text.
invariant yield as function of transverse mass for $\pi^{\pm},K^{\pm}$ and inclusive $p$ and $\bar{p}$ at mid-rapidity ($|y|<0.1$) for pp (bottom) and Au+Au events from $70-80\%$ (second bottom) to the $0-5\%$ centrality bin (top). Statistical and point-to-point systematic errors have been added in quadrature. Additional correlated systematic error due to uncertainty in the normalization is estimated to be $5\%$. Open circles are for positive particles (all proton spectra are scaled by 0.8), and closed triangles are for negative particles. The curves shown (Bose-Einstein fits for $\pi^-$ and blast-wave model fits for $K^-$ and $\bar{p}$) are explained in the text.