We report the measured transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) spectra of primary charged particles from pp, p-Pb and Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV in the kinematic range of $0.15<p_{\rm T}<50$ GeV/$c$ and $|\eta|< 0.8$. A significant improvement of systematic uncertainties motivated the reanalysis of data in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV, as well as in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV, which is also presented. Spectra from Pb-Pb collisions are presented in nine centrality intervals and are compared to a reference spectrum from pp collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions. For central collisions, the $p_{\rm T}$ spectra are suppressed by more than a factor of 7 around 6-7 GeV/$c$ with a significant reduction in suppression towards higher momenta up to 30 GeV/$c$. The nuclear modification factor $R_{\rm pPb}$, constructed from the pp and p-Pb spectra measured at the same collision energy, is consistent with unity above 8 GeV/$c$. While the spectra in both pp and Pb-Pb collisions are substantially harder at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV compared to 2.76 TeV, the nuclear modification factors show no significant collision energy dependence. The obtained results should provide further constraints on the parton energy loss calculations to determine the transport properties of the hot and dense QCD matter.
Transverse momentum spectra of charged particles in PbPb collisions in nine centrality classes.
Transverse momentum spectra of charged particles in PbPb collisions in nine centrality classes.
Transverse momentum spectra of charged particles in pPb collisions.
Neutral pion and $\eta$ meson production in the transverse momentum range 1 < $p_{T}$ < 20 GeV/$c$ have been measured at mid-rapidity by the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in central and semi-central Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV. These results were obtained using the photon conversion method as well as the PHOS and EMCal detectors. The results extend the upper $p_{T}$ reach of the previous ALICE $\pi^{0}$ measurements from 12 GeV/$c$ to 20 GeV/$c$ and present the first measurement of $\eta$ meson production in heavy-ion collisions at the LHC. The $\eta/\pi^{0}$ ratio is similar for the two centralities and reaches at high $p_{T}$ a plateau value of 0.457 $\pm$ 0.013$^{stat}$ $\pm$ 0.018$^{syst}$. A suppression of similar magnitude for $\pi^{0}$ and $\eta$ meson production is observed in Pb-Pb collisions with respect to their production in pp collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions. We discuss the results in terms of NLO pQCD predictions and hydrodynamic models. The measurements show a stronger suppression with respect to what was observed at lower center-of-mass energies in the $p_{T}$ range 6 < $p_{T}$ < 10 GeV/$c$. At $p_{T}$ < 3 GeV/$c$, hadronization models describe the $\pi^{0}$ results while for the $\eta$ some tension is observed.
Invariant yields of the $\pi^{0}$ meson in the centrality class 0-10% in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt{s_NN} = 2.76 TeV at mid-rapidity.
Invariant yields of the $\pi^{0}$ meson in the centrality class 20-50% in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt{s_NN} = 2.76 TeV at mid-rapidity.
Invariant yields of the $\eta$ meson in the centrality class 0-10% in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt{s_NN} = 2.76 TeV at mid-rapidity.
Measurements of inclusive and direct photon production at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=2.76$ and 8 TeV are presented by the ALICE experiment at the LHC. The results are reported in transverse momentum ranges of $0.4<p_{T}<10$ GeV/$c$ and $0.3<p_{T}<16$ GeV/$c$, respectively. Photons are detected with the electromagnetic calorimeter~(EMCal) and via reconstruction of e$^+$e$^-$ pairs from conversions in the ALICE detector material using the central tracking system. For the final measurement of the inclusive photon spectra the results are combined in the overlapping $p_{T}$ interval of both methods. Direct photon spectra, or their upper limits at 90% C.L. are extracted using the direct photon excess ratio $R_{\gamma}$, which quantifies the ratio of inclusive photons over decay photons generated with a decay-photon simulation. An additional hybrid method, combining photons reconstructed from conversions with those identified in the EMCal, is used for the combination of the direct photon excess ratio $R_{\gamma}$, as well as the extraction of direct photon spectra or their upper limits. While no significant signal of direct photons is seen over the full $p_{T}$ range, $R_{\gamma}$ for $p_{T}>7$ GeV/$c$ is at least one $\sigma$ above unity and consistent with expectations from next-to-leading order pQCD calculations.
Double Ratio RGAMMA in inelastic pp collisions at center-of-mass energy 2.76 TeV. RGAMMA is the ratio of inclusive GAMMA to decay GAMMA.
Double Ratio RGAMMA in inelastic pp collisions at center-of-mass energy 8 TeV. RGAMMA is the ratio of inclusive GAMMA to decay GAMMA.
Invariant differential cross section of inclusive GAMMA produced in inelastic pp collisions at center-of-mass energy 2.76 TeV, the uncertainty of $\sigma_{MB}$ of 2.5% is not included in the systematic error. Values are given in the center of the PT bin.
Azimuthally-differential femtoscopic measurements, being sensitive to spatio-temporal characteristics of the source as well as to the collective velocity fields at freeze out, provide very important information on the nature and dynamics of the system evolution. While the HBT radii oscillations relative to the second harmonic event plane measured recently reflect mostly the spatial geometry of the source, model studies have shown that the HBT radii oscillations relative to the third harmonic event plane are predominantly defined by the velocity fields. In this Letter, we present the first results on azimuthally-differential pion femtoscopy relative to the third harmonic event plane as a function of the pion pair transverse momentum $k_{\rm T}$ for different collision centralities in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76$ TeV. We find that the $R_{\rm side}$ and $R_{\rm out}$ radii, which characterize the pion source size in the directions perpendicular and parallel to the pion transverse momentum, oscillate in phase relative to the third harmonic event plane, similar to the results from 3+1D hydrodynamical calculations. The observed radii oscillations unambiguously signal a collective expansion and anisotropy in the velocity fields. A comparison of the measured radii oscillations with the Blast-Wave model calculations indicate that the initial state triangularity is washed-out at freeze out.
The azimuthal dependence $R_{out}^2$ as function of $\Phi_{pair} - \Psi_{\mathrm{EP,3}}$ for the centrality 20-30% and different kT.
The azimuthal dependence $R_{out}^2$ as function of $\Phi_{pair} - \Psi_{\mathrm{EP,3}}$ for the centrality 20-30% and different kT.
The azimuthal dependence $R_{out}^2$ as function of $\Phi_{pair} - \Psi_{\mathrm{EP,3}}$ for the centrality 20-30% and different kT.
Measurements of anisotropic flow coefficients with two- and multi-particle cumulants for inclusive charged particles in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{{\textit s}_\text{NN}} = 5.02$ and 2.76 TeV are reported in the pseudorapidity range $|\eta| < 0.8$ and transverse momentum $0.2 < p_\text{T} < 50$ GeV/$c$. The full data sample collected by the ALICE detector in 2015 (2010), corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 12.7 (2.0) $\mu$b$^{-1}$ in the centrality range 0-80%, is analysed. Flow coefficients up to the sixth flow harmonic ($v_6$) are reported and a detailed comparison among results at the two energies is carried out. The $p_\text{T}$ dependence of anisotropic flow coefficients and its evolution with respect to centrality and harmonic number $n$ are investigated. An approximate power-law scaling of the form $v_n(p_\text{T}) \sim p_\text{T}^{n/3}$ is observed for all flow harmonics at low $p_\text{T}$ ($0.2 < p_\text{T} < 3$ GeV/$c$). At the same time, the ratios $v_n/v_m^{n/m}$ are observed to be essentially independent of $p_\text{T}$ for most centralities up to about $p_\text{T} = 10$ GeV/$c$. Analysing the differences among higher-order cumulants of elliptic flow ($v_2$), which have different sensitivities to flow fluctuations, a measurement of the standardised skewness of the event-by-event $v_2$ distribution $P(v_2)$ is reported and constraints on its higher moments are provided. The Elliptic Power distribution is used to parametrise $P(v_2)$, extracting its parameters from fits to cumulants. The measurements are compared to different model predictions in order to discriminate among initial-state models and to constrain the temperature dependence of the shear viscosity to entropy-density ratio.
$v_2\{2,|\Delta\eta| > 1.\}$ as a function of centrality for Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV.
$v_2\{4\}$ as a function of centrality for Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV.
$v_3\{2,|\Delta\eta| > 1.\}$ as a function of centrality for Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV.
$\phi$ meson measurements provide insight into strangeness production, which is one of the key observables for the hot medium formed in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. ALICE measured $\phi$ production through its decay in muon pairs in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV in the intermediate transverse momentum range $2 < p_{\rm T} < 5$ GeV/$c$ and in the rapidity interval $2.5<y<4$. The $\phi$ yield was measured as a function of the transverse momentum and collision centrality. The nuclear modification factor was obtained as a function of the average number of participating nucleons. Results were compared with the ones obtained via the kaon decay channel in the same $p_{\rm T}$ range at midrapidity. The values of the nuclear modification factor in the two rapidity regions are in agreement within uncertainties.
phi yield as a function of $p_\mathrm{T}$ at forward rapidity in pp collisions.
phi yield as a function of $p_\mathrm{T}$ at forward rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions for 0-40\% centrality.
phi yield as a function of $p_\mathrm{T}$ at forward rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions for 40-90\% centrality (scaled by 3 in the figure).
We report measurements of the production of prompt D$^0$, D$^+$, D$^{*+}$ and D$^+_{\rm s}$ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV, in the centrality classes 0-10%, 30-50% and 60-80%. The D-meson production yields are measured at mid-rapidity ($|y|<0.5$) as a function of transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$). The $p_{\rm T}$ intervals covered in central collisions are: $1<p_{\rm T}<50$ Gev/$c$ for D$^0$, $2<p_{\rm T}<50$ GeV/$c$ for D$^+$, $3<p_{\rm T}<50$ GeV/$c$ for D$^{*+}$, and $4<p_{\rm T}<16$ GeV/$c$ for D$^+_{\rm s}$ mesons. The nuclear modification factors ($R_{\rm AA}$) for non-strange D mesons (D$^0$, D$^+$, D$^{*+}$) show minimum values of about 0.2 for $p_{\rm T}$ = 6-10 GeV/$c$ in the most central collisions and are compatible within uncertainties with those measured at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76$ TeV. For D$^+_{\rm s}$ mesons, the values of $R_{\rm AA}$ are larger than those of non-strange D mesons, but compatible within uncertainties. In central collisions the average $R_{\rm AA}$ of non-strange D mesons is compatible with that of charged particles for $p_{\rm T} > 8$ GeV/$c$, while it is larger at lower $p_{\rm T}$. The nuclear modification factors for strange and non-strange D mesons are also compared to theoretical models with different implementations of in-medium energy loss.
pT-differential yield of prompt D0 mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt{sNN}=5.02 TeV in the centrality class 0-10% in the rapidity interval |y|<0.5. Branching ratio of D0->Kpi : 0.0393.
pT-differential yield of prompt D+ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt{sNN}=5.02 TeV in the centrality class 0-10% in the rapidity interval |y|<0.5. Branching ratio of D+->Kpipi : 0.0946.
pT-differential yield of prompt D*+ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt{sNN}=5.02 TeV in the centrality class 0-10% in the rapidity interval |y|<0.5. Branching ratio of D*+->D0pi->Kpipi : 0.0393*0.677.
The first measurements of anisotropic flow coefficients $v_{\rm{n}}$ for mid-rapidity charged particles in Xe-Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}} = 5.44$ TeV are presented. Comparing these measurements to those from Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV, $v_{2}$ is found to be suppressed for mid-central collisions at the same centrality, and enhanced for central collisions. The values of $v_{3}$ are generally larger in Xe-Xe than in Pb-Pb at a given centrality. These observations are consistent with expectations from hydrodynamic predictions. When both $v_{2}$ and $v_{3}$ are divided by their corresponding eccentricities for a variety of initial state models, they generally scale with transverse density when comparing Xe-Xe and Pb-Pb, with some deviations observed in central Xe-Xe and Pb-Pb collisions. These results assist in placing strong constraints on both the initial state geometry and medium response for relativistic heavy-ion collisions.
Inclusive J/$\psi$ production is studied in p-Pb interactions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collision $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=8.16$ TeV, using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. The J/$\psi$ meson is reconstructed, via its decay to a muon pair, in the centre-of-mass rapidity intervals $2.03<y_{\rm {cms}}<3.53$ and $-4.46<y_{\rm {cms}}<-2.96$, where positive and negative $y_{\rm {cms}}$ refer to the p-going and Pb-going direction, respectively. The transverse momentum coverage is $p_{\rm T}<20$ GeV/$c$. In this paper, $y_{\rm cms}$- and $p_{\rm T}$-differential cross sections for inclusive J/$\psi$ production are presented, and the corresponding nuclear modification factors $R_{\rm pPb}$ are shown. Forward results show a suppression of the J/$\psi$ yield with respect to pp collisions, concentrated in the region $p_{\rm T}\lesssim 5$ GeV/$c$. At backward rapidity no significant suppression is observed. The results are compared to previous measurements by ALICE in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV and to theoretical calculations. Finally, the ratios $R_{\rm FB}$ between forward- and backward-$y_{\rm {cms}}$ $R_{\rm pPb}$ values are shown and discussed.
The y-differential inclusive JPsi cross section obtained in p-Pb and Pb-p collisions. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one is the uncorrelated systematic uncertainty, while the third one is the global uncertainty common to p-Pb and Pb-p results.
The pt-differential inclusive JPsi cross section obtained in Pb-p collisions. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one is the uncorrelated systematic uncertainty, while the third one is the global uncertainty common to p-Pb and Pb-p results.
The pt-differential inclusive JPsi nuclear modification factor obtained in p-Pb. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one is the uncorrelated systematic uncertainty, while the third one is the global uncertainty common to p-Pb and Pb-p results.
The first measurement of e$^+$e$^-$ pair production at mid-rapidity ($|\eta_{{\rm e}}|$ $<$ 0.8) in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 7$ TeV with ALICE at the LHC is presented. The dielectron production is studied as a function of the invariant mass ($m_{\rm ee}$ $<$ 3.3 GeV/$c^{2}$), the pair transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T,ee}$ $<$ 8 GeV/$c$), and the pair transverse impact parameter (DCA$_{{\rm ee}}$), i.e., the average distance of closest approach of the reconstructed electron and positron tracks to the collision vertex, normalised to its resolution. The results are compared with the expectations from a cocktail of known hadronic sources and are well described when PYTHIA is used to generate the heavy-flavour contributions. In the low-mass region (0.14 $<$ $m_{\rm ee}$ $<$ 1.1 GeV/$c^{2}$), prompt and non-prompt e$^+$e$^-$ sources can be separated via the DCA$_{\rm ee}$. In the intermediate-mass region (1.1 $<$ $m_{\rm ee}$ $<$ 2.7 GeV/$c^{2}$), a double-differential fit to the data in $m_{\rm ee}$ and $p_{\rm T,ee}$ and a fit of the DCA$_{\rm ee}$ distribution allow the total ${\rm c\overline c}$ and ${\rm b\overline b}$ cross sections to be extracted. Two different event generators, PYTHIA and POWHEG, can reproduce the shape of the two-dimensional $m_{\rm ee}$ and $p_{\rm T,ee}$ spectra, as well as the shape of the DCA$_{\rm ee}$ distribution, reasonably well. However, differences in the ${\rm c\overline c}$ and ${\rm b\overline b}$ cross sections are observed when using the generators to extrapolate to full phase space. Finally, the ratio of inclusive to decay photons is studied via the measurement of virtual direct photons in the transverse-momentum range 1 $<$ $p_{\rm T}$ $<$ 8 GeV/$c$. This is found to be unity within the statistical and systematic uncertainties and consistent with expectations from next-to-leading order perturbative quantum chromodynamic calculations.
Inclusive $e^+e^-$ cross section in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV in the ALICE acceptance as a function of $m_{\rm ee}$.
Inclusive $e^+e^-$ cross section in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV in the ALICE acceptance as a function of $p_{\rm T,ee}$ for $m_{\rm ee}$ < 0.14 GeV/$c^{2}$.
Inclusive $e^+e^-$ cross section in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV in the ALICE acceptance as a function of $\rm DCA_{ee}$ for 0.08 < $m_{\rm ee}$ < 0.14 GeV/$c^{2}$.
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