We present the first measurements of femtoscopic correlations between the K$^0_{\rm S}$ and K$^{\rm \pm}$ particles in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV measured by the ALICE experiment. The observed femtoscopic correlations are consistent with final-state interactions proceeding solely via the $a_0(980)$ resonance. The extracted kaon source radius and correlation strength parameters for K$^0_{\rm S}$K$^{\rm -}$ are found to be equal within the experimental uncertainties to those for K$^0_{\rm S}$K$^{\rm +}$. Results of the present study are compared with those from identical-kaon femtoscopic studies also performed with pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV by ALICE and with a K$^0_{\rm S}$K$^{\rm \pm}$ measurement in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76$ TeV. Combined with the Pb-Pb results, our pp analysis is found to be compatible with the interpretation of the $a_0(980)$ having a tetraquark structure instead of that of a diquark.
Raw K0s K+ correlation function for all kT
Raw K0s K+ correlation function for kT < 0.85 GeV/c
Raw K0s K+ correlation function for kT > 0.85 GeV/c
The measurement of prompt D-meson production as a function of multiplicity in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC is reported. D$^0$, D$^+$ and D$^{*+}$ mesons are reconstructed via their hadronic decay channels in the centre-of-mass rapidity range $-0.96< y_{\mathrm{cms}}<0.04$ and transverse momentum interval $1<p_{\rm T}<24$ GeV/$c$. The multiplicity dependence of D-meson production is examined by either comparing yields in p-Pb collisions in different event classes, selected based on the multiplicity of produced particles or zero-degree energy, with those in pp collisions, scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions (nuclear modification factor); as well as by evaluating the per-event yields in p-Pb collisions in different multiplicity intervals normalised to the multiplicity-integrated ones (relative yields). The nuclear modification factors for D$^0$, D$^+$ and D$^{*+}$ are consistent with one another. The D-meson nuclear modification factors as a function of the zero-degree energy are consistent with unity within uncertainties in the measured $p_{\rm T}$ regions and event classes. The relative D-meson yields, calculated in various $p_{\rm T}$ intervals, increase as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity. The results are compared with the equivalent pp measurements at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV as well as with EPOS~3 calculations.
Average $Q_{\rm pPb}$ of D$^{0}$, D$^{+}$ and D*$^{+}$ mesons for the sum of particles and antiparticles in several multiplicity and PT(D) intervals for p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV as a function of the multiplicity at central rapidity evaluated with the ZNA estimator. The values are reported together with their uncertainties, which are quoted as statistical followed by systematic uncertainties. Normalisation uncertainty is not quoted and amounts to $\pm 0.07$, $\pm 0.05$, $\pm 0.07$ and $\pm 0.08$ for the 0-20%, 20-40%, 40-60% and 60-100% intervals, respectively.
Average $Q_{\rm pPb}$ of D$^{0}$, D$^{+}$ and D*$^{+}$ mesons for the sum of particles and antiparticles in several multiplicity and PT(D) intervals for p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV as a function of the multiplicity at central rapidity evaluated with the CL1 estimator. The values are reported together with their uncertainties, which are quoted as statistical followed by systematic uncertainties. Normalisation uncertainty is not quoted and amounts to $\pm 0.05$, $\pm 0.05$, $\pm 0.07$ and $\pm 0.23$ for the 0-20%, 20-40%, 40-60% and 60-100% intervals, respectively.
Average $Q_{\rm pPb}$ of D$^{0}$, D$^{+}$ and D*$^{+}$ mesons for the sum of particles and antiparticles in several multiplicity and PT(D) intervals for p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV as a function of the multiplicity at central rapidity evaluated with the V0A estimator. The values are reported together with their uncertainties, which are quoted as statistical followed by systematic uncertainties. Normalisation uncertainty is not quoted and amounts to $\pm 0.05$, $\pm 0.05$, $\pm 0.06$ and $\pm 0.22$ for the 0-20%, 20-40%, 40-60% and 60-100% intervals, respectively.
The W and Z boson production was measured via the muonic decay channel in proton-lead collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV at the Large Hadron Collider with the ALICE detector. The measurement covers backward ($-4.46 < y_{\rm cms} < -2.96$) and forward ($2.03 < y_{\rm cms} < 3.53$) rapidity regions, corresponding to Pb-going and p-going directions, respectively. The Z-boson production cross section, with dimuon invariant mass of $60<m_{\mu\mu}<120$ GeV/$c^2$ and muon transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}^\mu$) larger than 20 GeV/$c$, is measured. The production cross section and charge asymmetry of muons from W-boson decays with $p_{\rm T}^\mu>10$ GeV/$c$ are determined. The results are compared to theoretical calculations both with and without including the nuclear modification of the parton distribution functions. The W-boson production is also studied as a function of the collision centrality: the cross section of muons from W-boson decays is found to scale with the average number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions within uncertainties.
Z-boson production cross section in the dimuon decay channel at backward and forward rapidities measured in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic.
Measurements of charged jet production as a function of centrality are presented for p-Pb collisions recorded at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV with the ALICE detector. Centrality classes are determined via the energy deposit in neutron calorimeters at zero degree, close to the beam direction, to minimise dynamical biases of the selection. The corresponding number of participants or binary nucleon-nucleon collisions is determined based on the particle production in the Pb-going rapidity region. Jets have been reconstructed in the central rapidity region from charged particles with the anti-$k_{\rm T}$ algorithm for resolution parameters $R = 0.2$ and $R = 0.4$ in the transverse momentum range 20 to 120 GeV/$c$. The reconstructed jet momentum and yields have been corrected for detector effects and underlying-event background. In the five centrality bins considered, the charged jet production in p-Pb collisions is consistent with the production expected from binary scaling from pp collisions. The ratio of jet yields reconstructed with the two different resolution parameters is also independent of the centrality selection, demonstrating the absence of major modifications of the radial jet structure in the reported centrality classes.
pp reference spectrum, obtained by scaling down the measured charged jets at 7 TeV to 5.02 TeV for R = 0.2 jets.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential production cross section of charged jets in p-Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV for R = 0.2 measured with the ALICE detector, centrality 0-20%.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential production cross section of charged jets in p-Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV for R = 0.2 measured with the ALICE detector, centrality 20-40%.
At sufficiently high temperature and energy density, nuclear matter undergoes a transition to a phase in which quarks and gluons are not confined: the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) [1]. Such an extreme state of strongly-interacting QCD (Quantum Chromo-Dynamics) matter is produced in the laboratory with high-energy collisions of heavy nuclei, where an enhanced production of strange hadrons is observed [2-6]. Strangeness enhancement, originally proposed as a signature of QGP formation in nuclear collisions [7], is more pronounced for multi-strange baryons. Several effects typical of heavy-ion phenomenology have been observed in high-multiplicity proton-proton (pp) collisions [8,9]. Yet, enhanced production of multi-strange particles has not been reported so far. Here we present the first observation of strangeness enhancement in high-multiplicity pp collisions. We find that the integrated yields of strange and multi-strange particles relative to pions increases significantly with the event charged-particle multiplicity. The measurements are in remarkable agreement with p-Pb collision results [10,11] indicating that the phenomenon is related to the final system created in the collision. In high-multiplicity events strangeness production reaches values similar to those observed in Pb-Pb collisions, where a QGP is formed.
$\Xi^{-}+\bar{\Xi}^{+}$ transverse momentum spectrum: V0M Class II (pp at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV).
The production cross section of electrons from semileptonic decays of beauty hadrons was measured at mid-rapidity (|y| < 0.8) in the transverse momentum range $1 < p_{\rm T} < 8$ Gev/$c$ with the ALICE experiment at the CERN LHC in pp collisions at a center of mass energy $\sqrt{s} = 7$ TeV using an integrated luminosity of 2.2 nb$^{-1}$. Electrons from beauty hadron decays were selected based on the displacement of the decay vertex from the collision vertex. A perturbative QCD calculation agrees with the measurement within uncertainties. The data were extrapolated to the full phase space to determine the total cross section for the production of beauty quark-antiquark pairs.
Double differential cross section for charm and beauty electron production as a function of transverse momentum. The systematic error does not include the error on the Luminosity (3.5%).
This work aims to differentiate strangeness produced from hard processes (jet-like) and softer processes (underlying event) by measuring the angular correlation between a high-momentum trigger hadron (h) acting as a jet-proxy and a produced strange hadron ($\phi(1020)$ meson). Measuring h$-\phi$ correlations at midrapidity in p$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV as a function of event multiplicity provides insight into the microscopic origin of strangeness enhancement in small collision systems. The jet-like and the underlying-event-like strangeness production are investigated as a function of event multiplicity. They are also compared between a lower and higher momentum region. The evolutions of the per-trigger yields within the near-side (aligned with the trigger hadron) and away-side (in the opposite direction of the trigger hadron) jets are studied separately, allowing for the characterization of two distinct jet-like production regimes. Furthermore, the h$-\phi$ correlations within the underlying event give access to a production regime dominated by soft production processes, which can be compared directly to the in-jet production. Comparisons between h$-\phi$ and dihadron correlations show that the observed strangeness enhancement is largely driven by the underlying event, where the $\phi/\mathrm{h}$ ratio is significantly larger than within the jet regions. As multiplicity increases, the fraction of the total $\phi(1020)$ yield coming from jets decreases compared to the underlying event production, leading to high-multiplicity events being dominated by the increased strangeness production from the underlying event.
Pet-trigger h--$\phi$ and h--h pair yields within the near and away-side jet peaks as a function of charged particle multiplicity in p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV in the pseudorapidity region $|\eta|<0.8$. Pairs consist of a trigger hadron in the range $4.0 < p_{\mathrm{T, trig}} < 8.0 \mathrm{~GeV}/c$ and an associated $\phi$(1020) (h) in the range $1.5 < p_{\mathrm{T, assoc}} < 2.5 \mathrm{~GeV}/c$.
Pet-trigger h--$\phi$ and h--h pair yields within the near and away-side jet peaks as a function of charged particle multiplicity in p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV in the pseudorapidity region $|\eta|<0.8$. Pairs consist of a trigger hadron in the range $4.0 < p_{\mathrm{T, trig}} < 8.0 \mathrm{~GeV}/c$ and an associated $\phi$(1020) (h) in the range $2.5 < p_{\mathrm{T, assoc}} < 4.0 \mathrm{~GeV}/c$.
Pairwise (h--$\phi$)/(h--h) ratio vs $\langle N_{\mathrm{ch}} \rangle$ for the lower associated momentum range, $1.5 < p_{\mathrm{T, assoc}} < 2.5 \mathrm{~GeV}/c$ in p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV in the pseudorapidity region $|\eta|<0.8$.
A measurement of beauty hadron production at mid-rapidity in proton-lead collisions at a nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV is presented. The semi-inclusive decay channel of beauty hadrons into J/$\psi$ is considered, where the J/$\psi$ mesons are reconstructed in the dielectron decay channel at mid-rapidity down to transverse momenta of 1.3 GeV/$c$. The ${\rm {b\overline{b}}}$ production cross section at mid-rapidity, ${\rm d}\sigma_{\rm {b\overline{b}}}/{\rm d} y$, and the total cross section extrapolated over full phase space, $\sigma_{\rm {b\overline{b}}}$, are obtained. This measurement is combined with results on inclusive J/$\psi$ production to determine the prompt J/$\psi$ cross sections. The results in p-Pb collisions are then scaled to expectations from pp collisions at the same centre-of-mass energy to derive the nuclear modification factor $R_{\rm pPb}$, and compared to models to study possible nuclear modifications of the production induced by cold nuclear matter effects. $R_{\rm pPb}$ is found to be smaller than unity at low $p_{\rm T}$ for both J/$\psi$ coming from beauty hadron decays and prompt J/$\psi$.
Beauty production cross section at mid-rapidity (d$sigma$/d$y$) in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV.
The ALICE Collaboration has studied the inclusive production of the charmonium state $\psi(2S)$ in proton-lead (p-Pb) collisions at the nucleon-nucleon centre of mass energy $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV at the CERN LHC. The measurement was performed at forward ($2.03<y_{cms}<3.53$) and backward ($-4.46<y_{cms}<-2.96$) centre of mass rapidities, studying the decays into muon pairs. In this paper, we present the inclusive production cross sections $\sigma_{\psi(2S)}$, both integrated and as a function of the transverse momentum $p_{T}$, for the two $y_{cms}$ domains. The results are compared to those obtained for the 1S vector state (J/$\psi$), by showing the ratios between the production cross sections, as well as the double ratios $[\sigma_{\psi(2S)}/\sigma_{J/\psi}]_{pPb}/[\sigma_{\psi(2S)}/\sigma_{J/\psi}]_{pp}$ between p-Pb and proton-proton collisions. Finally, the nuclear modification factor for inclusive $\psi(2S)$ is evaluated and compared to the measurement of the same quantity for J/$\psi$ and to theoretical models including parton shadowing and coherent energy loss mechanisms. The results show a significantly larger suppression of the $\psi(2S)$ compared to that measured for J/$\psi$ and to models. These observations represent a clear indication for sizeable final state effects on $\psi(2S)$ production.
The cross section ratios B.R. sigma_Psi(2S)/ B.R. sigma_JPsi obtained in p-Pb and Pb-p collisions. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one is systematic.
The double ratio [sigma(Psi(2S))/sigma(J/Psi)]_pA/[sigma(Psi(2S))/sigma(J/Psi)]_pp for p-Pb and Pb-p collisions. First uncertainty is statistical, the second one is the correlated systematic, while the third is the uncorrelated systematic.
The Psi(2S) nuclear modification factor RpA measured in pPb and Pbp collisions. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one is the correlated systematic and the third the uncorrelated systematic.
The production of muons from heavy flavour decays is measured at forward rapidity in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 7$ TeV collected with the ALICE experiment at the LHC. The analysis is carried out on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity $L_{\rm int} = 16.5$ nb$^{-1}$. The transverse momentum and rapidity differential production cross sections of muons from heavy flavour decays are measured in the rapidity range 2.5 < y < 4, over the transverse momentum range 2 < $p_{\rm T}$ < 12 GeV/$c$. The results are compared to predictions based on perturbative QCD calculations.
pT-differential production cross section of muons from heavy flavour decays, in the rapidity range 2.5<y<4.
y-differential production cross section of muons from heavy flavour decays, in the range 2<pT<12 GeV/C.
pT-differential production cross section of muons from heavy flavour decays, in the rapidity range 2.5<y<2.8.
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