The PHENIX experiment presents results from the RHIC 2005 run with polarized proton collisions at sqrt(s)=200 GeV, for inclusive \pi^0 production at mid-rapidity. Unpolarized cross section results are given for transverse momenta p_T=0.5 to 20 GeV/c, extending the range of published data to both lower and higher p_T. The cross section is described well for p_T < 1 GeV/c by an exponential in p_T, and, for p_T > 2 GeV/c, by perturbative QCD. Double helicity asymmetries A_LL are presented based on a factor of five improvement in uncertainties as compared to previously published results, due to both an improved beam polarization of 50%, and to higher integrated luminosity. These measurements are sensitive to the gluon polarization in the proton, and exclude maximal values for the gluon polarization.
The neutral pion production cross section at $\sqrt{s}$ = 200 GeV as a function of $p_T$ and the results of NLO pQCD calculations for theory scales $\mu$ = $p_T$/2, $p_T$, and $2p_T$. Additional 9.7% normalization uncertainty is not included.
The double helicity asymmetry ($A_{LL}$) for neutral pion production at $\sqrt{s}$ = 200 GeV as a function of $p_T$ (GeV/$c$). Not included in the figure/table: the correlated for all points scale systematic uncertainty of 9.4% (scales both the values and stat. uncertainties by the same factor).
The single helicity asymmetry ($A_L$) for neutral pion production at $\sqrt{s}$ = 200 GeV as a function of $p_T$ (GeV/$c$). Systematic uncertainties are negligible.
We present first measurements of the $\phi$-meson elliptic flow ($v_{2}(p_{T})$) and high statistics $p_{T}$ distributions for different centralities from $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. In minimum bias collisions the $v_{2}$ of the $\phi$ meson is consistent with the trend observed for mesons. The ratio of the yields of the $\Omega$ to those of the $\phi$ as a function of transverse momentum is consistent with a model based on the recombination of thermal $s$ quarks up to $p_{T}\sim 4$ GeV/$c$, but disagrees at higher momenta. The nuclear modification factor ($R_{CP}$) of $\phi$ follows the trend observed in the $K^{0}_{S}$ mesons rather than in $\Lambda$ baryons, supporting baryon-meson scaling. Since $\phi$-mesons are made via coalescence of seemingly thermalized $s$ quarks in central Au+Au collisions, the observations imply hot and dense matter with partonic collectivity has been formed at RHIC.
The elliptic flow, $v_{2}$($p_{T}$), for the $\phi$-meson as a function of centrality. The vertical error bars represent the statistical errors while the shaded bands represent the systematic uncertainties. For clarity, data points are shifted slightly.
(color online) Transverse momentum distributions of $\phi$-mesons from Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV. For clarity, distributions for different centralities are scaled by factors of ten. Dashed lines represent the exponential fits to the distributions and the dotted lines are Levy function fits. Error bars represent statistical errors only.
(color online) The $N(\Omega)/N(\phi)$ ratio vs. $p_{T}$ for three centrality bins in $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV Au+Au collisions. The solid and dashed lines represent recombination model predictions for central collisions [21] for total and thermal contributions, respectively.
Differential elliptic flow (v_2) for phi mesons and (anti)deuterons (d^bar)d is measured for Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV. The v_2 for phi mesons follows the trend of lighter pi^+/- and K^+/- mesons, suggesting that ordinary hadrons interacting with standard hadronic cross sections are not the primary driver for elliptic flow development. The v_2 values for (d^bar)d suggest that elliptic flow is additive for composite particles. This further validation of the universal scaling of v_2 per constituent quark for baryons and mesons suggests that partonic collectivity dominates the transverse expansion dynamics.
$m_{inv}$ distributions for foreground and background $K^+ K^-$ pairs for 20-60% central Au+Au collisions.
$m_{inv}$ distributions
$<cos(2(\varphi^{pair}-\Phi_2))>$ vs. $m_{inv}$.
Photoproduction of the cascade resonances has been investigated in the reactions $\gamma p \to K^+ K^+ (X)$ and $\gamma p \to K^+ K^+ \pi^- (X)$. The mass split of the $\Xi$ doublet is measured to be $5.4\pm 1.8$ MeV/c$^2$, consistent with existing measurements. The differential (total) cross sections for the $\Xi^{-}$ have been determined for photon beam energies from 2.75 to 3.85 (4.75) GeV, and are consistent with a possible production mechanism of $Y^*\to K^+\Xi^-$ through a $t$-channel process. The reaction $\gamma p \to K^+ K^+ \pi^-[\Xi^0]$ has also been investigated in search of excited cascade resonances. No significant signal of excited cascade states other than the $\Xi^-(1530)$ is observed. The cross section results of the $\Xi^-(1530)$ have also been obtained for photon beam energies from 3.35 to 4.75 GeV.
Differential cross section for XI- production as a function of the invariant mass of the XI- with either of the K+ mesons for incident photon energy 2.79 Gev.
Differential cross section for XI- production as a function of the invariant mass of the XI- with either of the K+ mesons for incident photon energy 2.89 Gev.
Differential cross section for XI- production as a function of the invariant mass of the XI- with either of the K+ mesons for incident photon energy 2.99 Gev.
Cross-section values for Compton scattering on the proton were measured at 25 kinematic settings over the range s = 5-11 and -t = 2-7 GeV2 with statistical accuracy of a few percent. The scaling power for the s-dependence of the cross section at fixed center of mass angle was found to be 8.0 +/ 0.2, strongly inconsistent with the prediction of perturbative QCD. The observed cross-section values are in fair agreement with the calculations using the handbag mechanism, in which the external photons couple to a single quark.
Cross section of proton Compton Scattering at centre of mass energy squared of 4.82 GeV.
Cross section of proton Compton Scattering at centre of mass energy squared of 6.79 GeV.
Cross section of proton Compton Scattering at centre of mass energy squared of 8.90 GeV.
The reaction $^2$H$(e,e^\prime p)n$ has been studied with full kinematic coverage for photon virtuality $1.75<Q^2<5.5$ GeV$^2$. Comparisons of experimental data with theory indicate that for very low values of neutron recoil momentum ($p_n<100$ MeV/c) the neutron is primarily a spectator and the reaction can be described by the plane-wave impulse approximation. For $100<p_n<750$ MeV/c proton-neutron rescattering dominates the cross section, while $\Delta$ production followed by the $N\Delta \to NN$ transition is the primary contribution at higher momenta.
Recoil neutron momentum distributions.
Recoil neutron angular distributions for neutron momenta in the range 400 to 600 MeV.
Recoil neutron angular distributions for neutron momenta in the range 200 to 300 MeV.
Differential cross sections for the reaction $\gamma p \to K^{*0} \Sigma^+$ are presented at nine bins in photon energy in the range from 1.7 to 3.0 GeV. The \kstar was detected by its decay products, $K^+\pi^-$, in the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. These data are the first \kstar photoproduction cross sections ever published over a broad range of angles. Comparison with a theoretical model based on the vector and tensor $K^*$-quark couplings shows good agreement with the data in general, after adjusting the model's two parameters in a fit to our data. Disagreement between the data at forward angles and the global angle-energy fit to the model suggests that the role of scalar $\kappa$ meson exchange in $t$-channel diagrams should be investigated.
Cross sections with total uncertainties.
Cross sections with total uncertainties.
We present STAR measurements of the azimuthal anisotropy parameter $v_2$ for pions, kaons, protons, $\Lambda$, $\bar{\Lambda}$, $\Xi+\bar{\Xi}$, and $\Omega + \bar{\Omega}$, along with $v_4$ for pions, kaons, protons, and $\Lambda + \bar{\Lambda}$ at mid-rapidity for Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=62.4$ and 200 GeV. The $v_2(p_T)$ values for all hadron species at 62.4 GeV are similar to those observed in 130 and 200 GeV collisions. For observed kinematic ranges, $v_2$ values at 62.4, 130, and 200 GeV are as little as 10%--15% larger than those in Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=17.3$ GeV. At intermediate transverse momentum ($p_T$ from 1.5--5 GeV/c), the 62.4 GeV $v_2(p_T)$ and $v_4(p_T)$ values are consistent with the quark-number scaling first observed at 200 GeV. A four-particle cumulant analysis is used to assess the non-flow contributions to pions and protons and some indications are found for a smaller non-flow contribution to protons than pions. Baryon $v_2$ is larger than anti-baryon $v_2$ at 62.4 and 200 GeV perhaps indicating either that the initial spatial net-baryon distribution is anisotropic, that the mechanism leading to transport of baryon number from beam- to mid-rapidity enhances $v_2$, or that anti-baryon and baryon annihilation is larger in the in-plane direction.
Minimum-bias (0–80% of the collision cross section) v2(pT ) for identified hadrons at |η| < 1 from Au+Au collisions at √sNN = 62.4 GeV. To facilitate comparisons between panels, v2 values for inclusive charged hadrons are displayed in each panel. The error bars on the data points represent statistical uncertainties. Systematic uncertainties for the identified particles are shown as shaded bands around v2 = 0.
Minimum-bias (0–80% of the collision cross section) v2(pT ) for identified hadrons at |η| < 1 from Au+Au collisions at √sNN = 62.4 GeV. To facilitate comparisons between panels, v2 values for inclusive charged hadrons are displayed in each panel. The error bars on the data points represent statistical uncertainties. Systematic uncertainties for the identified particles are shown as shaded bands around v2 = 0.
Minimum-bias (0–80% of the collision cross section) v2(pT ) for identified hadrons at |η| < 1 from Au+Au collisions at √sNN = 62.4 GeV. To facilitate comparisons between panels, v2 values for inclusive charged hadrons are displayed in each panel. The error bars on the data points represent statistical uncertainties. Systematic uncertainties for the identified particles are shown as shaded bands around v2 = 0.
Spin transfer from circularly polarized real photons to recoiling hyperons has been measured for the reactions $\vec\gamma + p \to K^+ + \vec\Lambda$ and $\vec\gamma + p \to K^+ + \vec\Sigma^0$. The data were obtained using the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab for center-of-mass energies $W$ between 1.6 and 2.53 GeV, and for $-0.85<\cos\theta_{K^+}^{c.m.}< +0.95$. For the $\Lambda$, the polarization transfer coefficient along the photon momentum axis, $C_z$, was found to be near unity for a wide range of energy and kaon production angles. The associated transverse polarization coefficient, $C_x$, is smaller than $C_z$ by a roughly constant difference of unity. Most significantly, the {\it total} $\Lambda$ polarization vector, including the induced polarization $P$, has magnitude consistent with unity at all measured energies and production angles when the beam is fully polarized. For the $\Sigma^0$ this simple phenomenology does not hold. All existing hadrodynamic models are in poor agreement with these results.
Coefficients Cx and Cz for the reaction GAMMA P --> K+ LAMBDA for incident energy = 1.032 GeV and W = 1.679 GeV.
Coefficients Cx and Cz for the reaction GAMMA P --> K+ LAMBDA for incident energy = 1.132 GeV and W = 1.734 GeV.
Coefficients Cx and Cz for the reaction GAMMA P --> K+ LAMBDA for incident energy = 1.232 GeV and W = 1.787 GeV.
We report measurements of the exclusive electroproduction of $K^+\Lambda$ and $K^+\Sigma^0$ final states from a proton target using the CLAS detector at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. The separated structure functions $\sigma_T$, $\sigma_L$, $\sigma_{TT}$, and $\sigma_{LT}$ were extracted from the $\Phi$- and $\epsilon$-dependent differential cross sections taken with electron beam energies of 2.567, 4.056, and 4.247 GeV. This analysis represents the first $\sigma_L/\sigma_T$ separation with the CLAS detector, and the first measurement of the kaon electroproduction structure functions away from parallel kinematics. The data span a broad range of momentum transfers from $0.5\leq Q^2\leq 2.8$ GeV$^2$ and invariant energy from $1.6\leq W\leq 2.4$ GeV, while spanning nearly the full center-of-mass angular range of the kaon. The separated structure functions reveal clear differences between the production dynamics for the $\Lambda$ and $\Sigma^0$ hyperons. These results provide an unprecedented data sample with which to constrain current and future models for the associated production of strangeness, which will allow for a better understanding of the underlying resonant and non-resonant contributions to hyperon production.
Cross sections for incident energy 2.567 GeV for the Q**2 range 0.5 to 0.8 GeV**2 and W range 1.6 to 1.7 GeV.
Cross sections for incident energy 2.567 GeV for the Q**2 range 0.5 to 0.8 GeV**2 and W range 1.70 to 1.75 GeV.
Cross sections for incident energy 2.567 GeV for the Q**2 range 0.5 to 0.8 GeV**2 and W range 1.75 to 1.80 GeV.
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