Observation of Global Spin Alignment of $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ Vector Mesons in Nuclear Collisions

The STAR collaboration Abdallah, M.S. ; Aboona, B.E. ; Adam, J. ; et al.
Nature 614 (2023) 244-248, 2023.
Inspire Record 2063245 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.129067

Notwithstanding decades of progress since Yukawa first developed a description of the force between nucleons in terms of meson exchange, a full understanding of the strong interaction remains a major challenge in modern science. One remaining difficulty arises from the non-perturbative nature of the strong force, which leads to the phenomenon of quark confinement at distances on the order of the size of the proton. Here we show that in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, where quarks and gluons are set free over an extended volume, two species of produced vector (spin-1) mesons, namely $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$, emerge with a surprising pattern of global spin alignment. In particular, the global spin alignment for $\phi$ is unexpectedly large, while that for $K^{*0}$ is consistent with zero. The observed spin-alignment pattern and magnitude for the $\phi$ cannot be explained by conventional mechanisms, while a model with a connection to strong force fields, i.e. an effective proxy description within the Standard Model and Quantum Chromodynamics, accommodates the current data. This connection, if fully established, will open a potential new avenue for studying the behaviour of strong force fields.

38 data tables

Global spin alignment of $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ vector mesons in heavy-ion collisions. The measured matrix element $\rho_{00}$ as a function of beam energy for the $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ vector mesons within the indicated windows of centrality, transverse momentum ($p_T$) and rapidity ($y$). The open symbols indicate ALICE results for Pb+Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV at $p_{T}$ values of 2.0 and 1.4 GeV/c for the $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ mesons, respectively, corresponding to the $p_{T}$ bin nearest to the mean $p_{T}$ for the 1.0 – 5.0 GeV/$c$ range assumed for each meson in the present analysis. The red solid curve is a fit to data in the range of $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 19.6$ to 200 GeV, based on a theoretical calculation with a $\phi$-meson field. Parameter sensitivity of $\rho_{00}$ to the $\phi$-meson field is shown in Ref.5. The red dashed line is an extension of the solid curve with the fitted parameter $G_s^{(y)}$. The black dashed line represents $\rho_{00}=1/3.$

Global spin alignment of $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ vector mesons in heavy-ion collisions. The measured matrix element $\rho_{00}$ as a function of beam energy for the $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ vector mesons within the indicated windows of centrality, transverse momentum ($p_T$) and rapidity ($y$). The open symbols indicate ALICE results for Pb+Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV at $p_{T}$ values of 2.0 and 1.4 GeV/c for the $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ mesons, respectively, corresponding to the $p_{T}$ bin nearest to the mean $p_{T}$ for the 1.0 – 5.0 GeV/$c$ range assumed for each meson in the present analysis. The red solid curve is a fit to data in the range of $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 19.6$ to 200 GeV, based on a theoretical calculation with a $\phi$-meson field. Parameter sensitivity of $\rho_{00}$ to the $\phi$-meson field is shown in Ref.5. The red dashed line is an extension of the solid curve with the fitted parameter $G_s^{(y)}$. The black dashed line represents $\rho_{00}=1/3.$

Example of combinatorial background subtracted invariant mass distributions and the extracted yields as a function of $\cos \theta^*$ for $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ mesons. \textbf{a)} example of $\phi \rightarrow K^+ + K^-$ invariant mass distributions, with combinatorial background subtracted, integrated over $\cos \theta^*$; \textbf{b)} example of $K^{*0} (\overline{K^{*0}}) \rightarrow K^{-} \pi^{+} (K^{+} \pi^{-})$ invariant mass distributions, with combinatorial background subtracted, integrated over $\cos \theta^*$; \textbf{c)} extracted yields of $\phi$ as a function of $\cos \theta^*$; \textbf{d)} extracted yields of $K^{*0}$ as a function of $\cos \theta^*$.

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Beam Energy Dependence of the Third Harmonic of Azimuthal Correlations in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

The STAR collaboration Adamczyk, L. ; Adkins, J.K. ; Agakishiev, G. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Lett. 116 (2016) 112302, 2016.
Inspire Record 1414638 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.72069

We present results from a harmonic decomposition of two-particle azimuthal correlations measured with the STAR detector in Au+Au collisions for energies ranging from $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=7.7$ GeV to 200 GeV. The third harmonic $v_3^2\{2\}=\langle \cos3(\phi_1-\phi_2)\rangle$, where $\phi_1-\phi_2$ is the angular difference in azimuth, is studied as a function of the pseudorapidity difference between particle pairs $\Delta\eta = \eta_1-\eta_2$. Non-zero {\vthree} is directly related to the previously observed large-$\Delta\eta$ narrow-$\Delta\phi$ ridge correlations and has been shown in models to be sensitive to the existence of a low viscosity Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP) phase. For sufficiently central collisions, $v_3^2\{2\}$ persist down to an energy of 7.7 GeV suggesting that QGP may be created even in these low energy collisions. In peripheral collisions at these low energies however, $v_3^2\{2\}$ is consistent with zero. When scaled by pseudorapidity density of charged particle multiplicity per participating nucleon pair, $v_3^2\{2\}$ for central collisions shows a minimum near {\snn}$=20$ GeV.

81 data tables

Representative results on $v_3^2\{2\}$ from Au+Au collisions as a function of $\Delta\eta$ for charged hadrons with pT > 0.2 GeV/c and |$\eta$| < 1.

Representative results on $v_3^2\{2\}$ from Au+Au collisions as a function of $\Delta\eta$ for charged hadrons with pT > 0.2 GeV/c and |$\eta$| < 1.

Representative results on $v_3^2\{2\}$ from Au+Au collisions as a function of $\Delta\eta$ for charged hadrons with pT > 0.2 GeV/c and |$\eta$| < 1.

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Energy dependence of acceptance-corrected dielectron excess mass spectrum at mid-rapidity in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 19.6$ and 200 GeV

The STAR collaboration Adamczyk, L. ; Adkins, J.K. ; Agakishiev, G. ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 750 (2015) 64-71, 2015.
Inspire Record 1340691 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.72236

The acceptance-corrected dielectron excess mass spectra, where the known hadronic sources have been subtracted from the inclusive dielectron mass spectra, are reported for the first time at mid-rapidity $|y_{ee}|<1$ in minimum-bias Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 19.6 and 200 GeV. The excess mass spectra are consistently described by a model calculation with a broadened $\rho$ spectral function for $M_{ee}<1.1$ GeV/$c^{2}$. The integrated dielectron excess yield at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 19.6 GeV for $0.4<M_{ee}<0.75$ GeV/$c^2$, normalized to the charged particle multiplicity at mid-rapidity, has a value similar to that in In+In collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 17.3 GeV. For $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV, the normalized excess yield in central collisions is higher than that at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 17.3 GeV and increases from peripheral to central collisions. These measurements indicate that the lifetime of the hot, dense medium created in central Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV is longer than those in peripheral collisions and at lower energies.

6 data tables

Reconstructed dielectron unlike-sign pairs, like-sign pairs and signal distributions, together with the signal to background ratio (S/B). All columns are presented as a function of dielectron invariant mass in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 19.6 GeV.

Dielectron invariant mass spectrum in the STAR acceptance (|$y_{ee}$| < 1, 0.2 < $p_T^e$ < 3 GeV/c, |$\eta^e$ | < 1) after efficiency correction in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 19.6 GeV.

Hadronic cocktail consisting of the decays of light hadrons and correlated decays of charm in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 19.6 GeV.

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Energy Dependence of $K/\pi$, $p/\pi$, and $K/p$ Fluctuations in Au+Au Collisions from $\rm \sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 7.7 to 200 GeV

The STAR collaboration Abdelwahab, N.M. ; Adamczyk, L. ; Adkins, J.K. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 92 (2015) 021901, 2015.
Inspire Record 1322965 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.72254

A search for the quantum chromodynamics (QCD) critical point was performed by the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, using dynamical fluctuations of unlike particle pairs. Heavy-ion collisions were studied over a large range of collision energies with homogeneous acceptance and excellent particle identification, covering a significant range in the QCD phase diagram where a critical point may be located. Dynamical $K\pi$, $p\pi$, and $Kp$ fluctuations as measured by the STAR experiment in central 0-5\% Au+Au collisions from center-of-mass collision energies $\rm \sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 7.7 to 200 GeV are presented. The observable $\rm \nu_{dyn}$ was used to quantify the magnitude of the dynamical fluctuations in event-by-event measurements of the $K\pi$, $p\pi$, and $Kp$ pairs. The energy dependences of these fluctuations from central 0-5\% Au+Au collisions all demonstrate a smooth evolution with collision energy.

1 data table

$p\pi$, Kp, and $K\pi$ fluctuations as a function of collision energy, expressed as $v_{dyn,p\pi}$, $v_{dyn,Kp}$, and $v_{dyn,K\pi}$ respectively. Shown are data from central (0-5%) Au+Au collisions at energies from $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 7.7 to 200 GeV from the STAR experiment.


Two-pion Bose-Einstein correlations in central PbPb collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 2.76 TeV

The ALICE collaboration Aamodt, K. ; Abrahantes Quintana, A. ; Adamova, D. ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 696 (2011) 328-337, 2011.
Inspire Record 881884 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.56743

The first measurement of two-pion Bose-Einstein correlations in central Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV at the Large Hadron Collider is presented. We observe a growing trend with energy now not only for the longitudinal and the outward but also for the sideward pion source radius. The pion homogeneity volume and the decoupling time are significantly larger than those measured at RHIC.

14 data tables

Projections of the correlation function C.

Projections of the correlation function C.

Projections of the correlation function C.

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Midrapidity antiproton-to-proton ratio in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 0.9$ and $7$~TeV measured by the ALICE experiment

The ALICE collaboration Aamodt, K. ; Abel, N. ; Abeysekara, U. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Lett. 105 (2010) 072002, 2010.
Inspire Record 859610 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.55557

The ratio of the yields of antiprotons to protons in pp collisions has been measured by the ALICE experiment at $\sqrt{s} = 0.9$ and $7$ TeV during the initial running periods of the Large Hadron Collider(LHC). The measurement covers the transverse momentum interval $0.45 < p_{\rm{t}} < 1.05$ GeV/$c$ and rapidity $|y| < 0.5$. The ratio is measured to be $R_{|y| < 0.5} = 0.957 \pm 0.006 (stat.) \pm 0.014 (syst.)$ at $0.9$ TeV and $R_{|y| < 0.5} = 0.991 \pm 0.005 (stat.) \pm 0.014 (syst.)$ at $7$ TeV and it is independent of both rapidity and transverse momentum. The results are consistent with the conventional model of baryon-number transport and set stringent limits on any additional contributions to baryon-number transfer over very large rapidity intervals in pp collisions.

2 data tables

The PT dependence of the pbar/p ratio for the central rapidity region ABS(YRAP)<0.5.

The central rapidity pbar/p ratio as a function of the rapidity interval Ybeam-Ybaryon and centre-of-mass energy. As well as the present ALICE measurements this table also lists the values from other experiments (see the text of the paper for details).


Multiplicity and pseudorapidity distributions of charged particles and photons at forward pseudorapidity in Au + Au collisions at s(NN)**(1/2) = 62.4-GeV.

The STAR collaboration Adams, J. ; Aggarwal, M.M. ; Ahammed, Z. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 73 (2006) 034906, 2006.
Inspire Record 697905 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.98930

We present the centrality dependent measurement of multiplicity and pseudorapidity distributions of charged particles and photons in Au + Au collisions at sqrt{s_NN} = 62.4 GeV. The charged particles and photons are measured in the pseudorapidity region 2.9 < eta < 3.9 and 2.3 < eta < 3.7, respectively. We have studied the scaling of particle production with the number of participating nucleons and the number of binary collisions. The photon and charged particle production in the measured pseudorapidity range has been shown to be consistent with energy independent limiting fragmentation behavior. The photons are observed to follow a centrality independent limiting fragmentation behavior while for the charged particles it is centrality dependent. We have carried out a comparative study of the pseudorapidity distributions of positively charged hadrons, negatively charged hadrons, photons, pions, net protons in nucleus--nucleus collisions and pseudorapidity distributions from p+p collisions. From these comparisons we conclude that baryons in the inclusive charged particle distribution are responsible for the observed centrality dependence of limiting fragmentation. The mesons are found to follow an energy independent behavior of limiting fragmentation while the behavior of baryons seems to be energy dependent.

11 data tables

(Color Online) Variation of $N_{ch}$ normalized to the number of participating nucleon pair in the FTPC coverage $(2.9 \leq \eta \leq 3.9)$ and $N_{\gamma}$ normalized to the number of participating nucleon pair in the PMD acceptance $(2.3 \leq \eta \leq 3.7)$ as a function of $N_{part}$. The lower band shows the uncertainty in the ratio due to uncertainties in $N_{part}$ calculations.

(Color Online) Variation of $N_{ch}$ normalized to the number of participating nucleon pair in the FTPC coverage $(2.9 \leq \eta \leq 3.9)$ and $N_{\gamma}$ normalized to the number of participating nucleon pair in the PMD acceptance $(2.3 \leq \eta \leq 3.7)$ as a function of $N_{part}$. The lower band shows the uncertainty in the ratio due to uncertainties in $N_{part}$ calculations.

(Color Online) Variation of $N_{ch}$ normalized to the number of collisions in the FTPC coverage $(2.9 \leq \eta \leq 3.9)$ and $N_{\gamma}$ normalized to number of collisions, in the PMD coverage $(2.3 \leq \eta \leq 3.7)$ as a function of $N_{coll}$. The lower band shows the uncertainty in the ratio due to uncertainties in $N_{coll}$ calculations.

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Compton scattering of quasi-real virtual photons at LEP.

The L3 collaboration Achard, P. ; Adriani, O. ; Aguilar-Benitez, M. ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 616 (2005) 145-158, 2005.
Inspire Record 679959 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.48828

Compton scattering of quasi-real virtual photons, gamma e+- -> gamma e+-, is studied with 0.6fb-1 of data collected by the L3 detector at the LEP e+e- collider at centre-of-mass energies root(s')=189-209GeV. About 4500 events produced by the interaction of virtual photons emitted by e+- of one beam with e-+ of the opposite beam are collected for effective centre-of-mass energies of the photon-electron and photon-positron systems in the range from root(s')= 35GeV up to root(s')=175GeV, the highest energy at which Compton scattering was ever probed. The cross sections of the gamma e+- -> gamma e+- process as a function of root(s') and of the rest-frame scattering angle are measured, combined with previous L3 measurements down to root(s')~20GeV, and found to agree with the QED expectations.

3 data tables

Measured Compton scattering cross section as a function of the effective centre of mass of the photon-electron system. THETA(RF=CM) is the electron rest frame scattering angle.

The measured angular distribution over the photon-electron centre of mass energy range 35 to 175 GeV.

The measured Compton scattering cross section using the full data sample including the lower energy data from Acciarri et al. PL B439(1998)183. Errors are combined statistics and systematics.


Studies of hadronic event structure in e+ e- annihilation from 30-GeV to 209-GeV with the L3 detector

The L3 collaboration Achard, P. ; Adriani, O. ; Aguilar-Benitez, M. ; et al.
Phys.Rept. 399 (2004) 71-174, 2004.
Inspire Record 652683 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.54900

In this Report, QCD results obtained from a study of hadronic event structure in high energy e^+e^- interactions with the L3 detector are presented. The operation of the LEP collider at many different collision energies from 91 GeV to 209 GeV offers a unique opportunity to test QCD by measuring the energy dependence of different observables. The main results concern the measurement of the strong coupling constant, \alpha_s, from hadronic event shapes and the study of effects of soft gluon coherence through charged particle multiplicity and momentum distributions.

68 data tables

Jet fractions using the JADE algorithm as a function of the jet resolution parameter YCUT at c.m. energy 130.1 GeV.

Jet fractions using the JADE algorithm as a function of the jet resolution parameter YCUT at c.m. energy 136.1 GeV.

Jet fractions using the JADE algorithm as a function of the jet resolution parameter YCUT at c.m. energy 161.3 GeV.

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Determination of alpha(s) from hadronic event shapes in e+ e- annihilation at 192-GeV <= s**(1/2) <= 208-GeV

The L3 collaboration Achard, P. ; Adriani, O. ; Aguilar-Benitez, M. ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 536 (2002) 217-228, 2002.
Inspire Record 586115 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.49741

Results are presented from a study of the structure of high energy hadronic events recorded by the L3 detector at sqrt(s)>192 GeV. The distributions of several event shape variables are compared to resummed O(alphaS^2) QCD calculations. We determine the strong coupling constant at three average centre-of-mass energies: 194.4, 200.2 and 206.2 GeV. These measurements, combined with previous L3 measurements at lower energies, demonstrate the running of alphaS as expected in QCD and yield alphaS(mZ) = 0.1227 +- 0.0012 +- 0.0058, where the first uncertainty is experimental and the second is theoretical.

9 data tables

The measured ALPHA_S at three centre-of-mass energies from fits to the individual event shape distributions. The first error is statistcal, the first DSYS error is the experimental systematic uncertainty, and the second DSYS error is the theoryuncertainty.

Updated ALPHA_S measurements from the BT, BW and C-Parameter distributions,from earlier L3 data at lower centre-of-mass energies.. The first error is the total experimental error (stat+sys in quadrature) and the DSYS error is the theory uncertainty.

Combined ALPHA_S values from the five event shape variables. The first error is statistical, the first DSYS error is the experimental systematic uncertainity, the second DSYS error is the uncertainty from the hadronisdation models, andthethird DSYS errpr is the uncertainty due to uncalculated higher orders in the QCDpredictions.

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