The elliptic and triangular flow coefficients $v_2$ and $v_3$ of prompt D$^{0}$, D$^{+}$, and D$^{*+}$ mesons were measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.8$) in Pb-Pb collisions at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 5.02$ TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The D mesons were reconstructed via their hadronic decays in the transverse momentum interval $1< p_{\rm T}<36$ GeV/$c$ in central (0-10%) and semi-central (30-50%) collisions. Compared to pions, protons, and J/$\psi$ mesons, the average D-meson $v_{n}$ harmonics are compatible within uncertainties with a mass hierarchy for $p_{\rm T} \lesssim 3$ GeV/$c$, and are similar to those of charged pions for higher $p_{\rm T}$. The coupling of the charm quark to the light quarks in the underlying medium is further investigated with the application of the event-shape engineering (ESE) technique to the D-meson $v_2$ and $p_{\rm T}$-differential yields. The D-meson $v_2$ is correlated with average bulk elliptic flow in both central and semi-central collisions. Within the current precision, the ratios of per-event D-meson yields in the ESE-selected and unbiased samples are found to be compatible with unity. All the measurements are found to be reasonably well described by theoretical calculations including the effects of charm-quark transport and the recombination of charm quarks with light quarks in a hydrodynamically expanding medium.
Average $v_2${SP} vs. $p_\mathrm{T}$ of prompt D$^0$, D$^+$, and D$^{*+}$ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=5.02$ TeV in the centrality class 0-10% in the rapidity interval $|y|<0.8$. The first (sys,data) error is the systematic uncertainty from all the other sources except for the B feed-down. The second (sys,FD) error is the systematic uncertainty from the B feed-down contribution.
Average $v_2${SP} vs. $p_\mathrm{T}$ of prompt D$^0$, D$^+$, and D$^{*+}$ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=5.02$ TeV in the centrality class 30-50% in the rapidity interval $|y|<0.8$. The first (sys,data) error is the systematic uncertainty from all the other sources except for the B feed-down. The second (sys,FD) error is the systematic uncertainty from the B feed-down contribution.
Average $v_3${SP} vs. $p_\mathrm{T}$ of prompt D$^0$, D$^+$, and D$^{*+}$ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=5.02$ TeV in the centrality class 0-10% in the rapidity interval $|y|<0.8$. The first (sys,data) error is the systematic uncertainty from all the other sources except for the B feed-down. The second (sys,FD) error is the systematic uncertainty from the B feed-down contribution.
The elliptic flow of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity ($|y|$$<$ 0.8) is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The azimuthal distribution of the particles produced in the collisions can be parameterized with a Fourier expansion, in which the second harmonic coefficient represents the elliptic flow, $v_{\rm 2}$. The $v_{\rm 2}$ coefficient of electrons from beauty-hadron decays is measured for the first time in the transverse momentum ($p_{\rm{T}}$) range 1.3-6 GeV/$c$ in the centrality class 30-50%. The measurement of electrons from beauty-hadron decays exploits their larger mean proper decay length $c\tau \approx$ 500 $\mu$m compared to that of charm hadrons and most of the other background sources. The $v_{\rm 2}$ of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity is found to be positive with a significance of 3.75$\sigma$. The results provide insights on the degree of thermalization of beauty quarks in the medium. A model assuming full thermalization of beauty quarks is strongly disfavoured by the measurement at high $p_{\rm{T}}$, but is in agreement with the results at low $p_{\rm{T}}$. Transport models including substantial interactions of beauty quarks with an expanding strongly-interacting medium describe the measurement.
$v_{2}$ of electrons from beauty hadron decays as a function of $p_{\rm T}$ in the centrality range 30-50% for $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02 {\rm~TeV}$
Measurement of Z-boson production in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=8.16$ TeV and Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02$ TeV is reported. It is performed in the dimuon decay channel, through the detection of muons with pseudorapidity $-4 < \eta_{\mu} < -2.5$ and transverse momentum $p_{\rm T}^{\mu} > 20$ GeV/$c$ in the laboratory frame. The invariant yield and nuclear modification factor are measured for opposite-sign dimuons with invariant mass $60 < m^{\mu\mu} < 120$ GeV$c^2$ and rapidity $2.5 < y_{cms}^{\mu\mu} < 4$. They are presented as a function of rapidity and, for the Pb-Pb collisions, of centrality as well. The results are compared with theoretical calculations, both with and without nuclear modifications to the Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs). In p-Pb collisions the center-of-mass frame is boosted with respect to the laboratory frame, and the measurements cover the backward ($-4.46< y_{cms}^{\mu\mu}<-2.96$) and forward ($2.03< y_{cms}^{\mu\mu}<3.53$) rapidity regions. For the p-Pb collisions, the results are consistent within experimental and theoretical uncertainties with calculations that include both free-nucleon and nuclear-modified PDFs. For the Pb-Pb collisions, a $3.4\sigma$ deviation is seen in the integrated yield between the data and calculations based on the free-nucleon PDFs, while good agreement is found once nuclear modifications are considered.
Differential fiducial cross section in p-Pb
Integrated fiducial invariant yield in Pb-Pb
Rapidity differential fiducial invariant yield in Pb-Pb
Cross sections for the coherent photoproduction of $\rho^{0}$ vector mesons in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at $ \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}= 5.02$ TeV are reported. The measurements, which rely on the $\pi^+\pi^-$ decay channel, are presented in three regions of rapidity covering the range $|y|<0.8$. For each rapidity interval, cross sections are shown for different nuclear-breakup classes defined according to the presence of neutrons measured in the zero-degree calorimeters. The results are compared with predictions based on different models of nuclear shadowing. Finally, the observation of a coherently produced resonance-like structure with a mass around 1.7 GeV/$c^2$ and a width of about 140 MeV/$c^2$ is reported and compared with similar observations from other experiments.
Differential cross section as a function of rapidity for coherent RHO0 photoproduction in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at ALICE.
Anisotropic flow coefficients, $v_n$, non-linear flow mode coefficients, $\chi_{n,mk}$, and correlations among different symmetry planes, $\rho_{n,mk}$ are measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\rm{NN}}=5.02$ TeV. Results obtained with multi-particle correlations are reported for the transverse momentum interval $0.2<p_\rm{T}<5.0$ GeV/$c$ within the pseudorapidity interval $0.4<|\eta|<0.8$ as a function of collision centrality. The $v_n$ coefficients and $\chi_{n,mk}$ and $\rho_{n,mk}$ are presented up to the ninth and seventh harmonic order, respectively. Calculations suggest that the correlations measured in different symmetry planes and the non-linear flow mode coefficients are dependent on the shear and bulk viscosity to entropy ratios of the medium created in heavy-ion collisions. The comparison between these measurements and those at lower energies and calculations from hydrodynamic models places strong constraints on the initial conditions and transport properties of the system.
Centrality dependence of flow harmonics from $v_2$ to $v_9$.
Centrality dependence of flow harmonics from $v_2$ to $v_9$.
Centrality dependence of flow harmonics from $v_2$ to $v_9$.
The multiplicity dependence of electron production from heavy-flavour hadron decays as a function of transverse momentum was measured in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV using the ALICE detector at the LHC. The measurement was performed in the centre-of-mass rapidity interval $-1.07 < y_{\rm cms} < 0.14$ and transverse momentum interval 2 $< p_{\rm T} <$ 16 GeV/$c$. The multiplicity dependence of the production of electrons from heavy-flavour hadron decays was studied by comparing the $p_{\rm T}$ spectra measured for different multiplicity classes with those measured in pp collisions ($Q_{\rm pPb}$) and in peripheral p-Pb collisions ($Q_{\rm CP}$). The $Q_{\rm pPb}$ results obtained are consistent with unity within uncertainties in the measured $p_{\rm T}$ interval and event classes. This indicates that heavy-flavour decay electron production is consistent with binary scaling and independent of the geometry of the collision system. Additionally, the results suggest that cold nuclear matter effects are negligible within uncertainties, in the production of heavy-flavour decay electrons at midrapidity in p-Pb collisions.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential invariant cross section of electrons from heavy-flavour hadron decays in p--Pb collisions
$p_{\rm T}$-differential invariant cross section of electrons from heavy-flavour hadron decays in p--Pb collisions in 0--20\% centrality
$p_{\rm T}$-differential invariant cross section of electrons from heavy-flavour hadron decays in p--Pb collisions in 20--40\% centrality
The measurement of the azimuthal-correlation function of prompt D mesons with charged particles in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV and p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC is reported. The D$^{\rm 0}$, D$^{\rm +}$, and D$^{\rm *+}$ mesons, together with their charge conjugates, were reconstructed at midrapidity in the transverse momentum interval 3 < $p_{\rm T}$ < 24 GeV/c and correlated with charged particles having $p_{\rm T}$ > 0.3 GeV/c and pseudorapidity $|\eta| <$ 0.8. The properties of the correlation peaks appearing in the near- and away-side regions (for $\Delta \varphi \approx$ 0 and $\Delta \varphi \approx \pi$, respectively) were extracted via a fit to the azimuthal correlation functions. The shape of the correlation functions and the near- and away-side peak features are found to be consistent in pp and p-Pb collisions, showing no modifications due to nuclear effects within uncertainties. The results are compared with predictions from Monte Carlo simulations performed with the PYTHIA, POWHEG+PYTHIA, HERWIG, and EPOS 3 event generators.
Comparison of the azimuthal-correlation distributions of D mesons (average of D$^{0}$, D$^{+}$, D$^{*+}$) with $3 < p_{\rm T} < 5$ GeV/$c$ and charged particles with $p_{\rm T} > 0.3$ GeV/$c$, in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 5.02$ TeV and p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 5.02$ TeV, after baseline subtraction. Rapidity range for the D mesons are $|y^{\rm D}_{\rm cms}| < 0.5$ in pp, $-0.96 < y^{\rm D}_{\rm cms} < 0.04$ in p-Pb. Correlations are integrated for $|\Delta\eta|=|\eta_{\rm ch}-\eta_{\rm D}| < 1$. The azimuthal-correlation distributions are reported in the range $0 < \Delta\varphi < \pi$.
Comparison of the azimuthal-correlation distributions of D mesons (average of D$^{0}$, D$^{+}$, D$^{*+}$) with $5 < p_{\rm T} < 8$ GeV/$c$ and charged particles with $p_{\rm T} > 0.3$ GeV/$c$, in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 5.02$ TeV and p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 5.02$ TeV, after baseline subtraction. Rapidity range for the D mesons are $|y^{\rm D}_{\rm cms}| < 0.5$ in pp, $-0.96 < y^{\rm D}_{\rm cms} < 0.04$ in p-Pb. Correlations are integrated for $|\Delta\eta|=|\eta_{\rm ch}-\eta_{\rm D}| < 1$. The azimuthal-correlation distributions are reported in the range $0 < \Delta\varphi < \pi$.
Comparison of the azimuthal-correlation distributions of D mesons (average of D$^{0}$, D$^{+}$, D$^{*+}$) with $8 < p_{\rm T} < 16$ GeV/$c$ and charged particles with $p_{\rm T} > 0.3$ GeV/$c$, in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 5.02$ TeV and p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 5.02$ TeV, after baseline subtraction. Rapidity range for the D mesons are $|y^{\rm D}_{\rm cms}| < 0.5$ in pp, $-0.96 < y^{\rm D}_{\rm cms} < 0.04$ in p-Pb. Correlations are integrated for $|\Delta\eta|=|\eta_{\rm ch}-\eta_{\rm D}| < 1$. The azimuthal-correlation distributions are reported in the range $0 < \Delta\varphi < \pi$.
The first measurement at the LHC of charge-dependent directed flow ($v_{1}$) relative to the spectator plane is presented for Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV. Results are reported for charged hadrons and $\rm D^{0}$ mesons for the transverse momentum intervals $p_{\rm T}>0.2$ GeV/$c$ and $3<p_{\rm T}<$ 6 GeV/$c$ in the 5-40% and 10-40% centrality classes, respectively. The difference between the positively and negatively charged hadron $v_{1}$ has a positive slope as a function of pseudorapidity $\eta$, ${\rm d}\Delta{v_1}/{\rm d}\eta=$[1.68 $\pm$ 0.49 (stat.) $\pm$ 0.41 (syst.)] $\times 10^{-4}$. The same measurement for $\rm D^{0}$ and $\rm\bar{D}{}^0$ mesons yields a positive value ${\rm d}\Delta{v_1}/{\rm d}\eta$= [4.9 $\pm$ 1.7 (stat.) $\pm$ 0.6 (syst.)]$\times 10^{-1}$, which is about three orders of magnitude larger than the one of the charged hadrons. These measurements can provide new insights into the effects of the strong electromagnetic field and the initial tilt of matter created in non-central heavy-ion collisions on the dynamics of light (u, d, and s) and heavy (c) quarks. The large difference between the observed $\Delta{v_1}$ of charged hadrons and $\rm D^{0}$ mesons may reflect different sensitivity of the charm and light quarks to the early time dynamics of a heavy-ion collision. These observations challenge some of the recent theoretical calculations, which predicted a negative and an order of magnitude smaller value of ${\rm d}\Delta{v_1}/{\rm d}\eta$ for both light-flavour and charmed hadrons.
Directed flow positive hadrons 5-40%
Directed flow negative hadrons 5-40%
Delta Directed flow hadrons
Measurements of $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$ and $\phi(1020)$ resonance production in Pb-Pb and pp collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider are reported. The resonances are measured at midrapidity ($|y|$ $<$ 0.5) via their hadronic decay channels and the transverse momentum ($p_{\rm{T}}$) distributions are obtained for various collision centrality classes up to $p_{\rm{T}}$ $=$ 20 GeV$/c$. The $p_{\rm{T}}$-integrated yield ratio $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$$/$K in Pb-Pb collisions shows significant suppression relative to pp collisions and decreases towards more central collisions. In contrast, the $\phi(1020)$$/$K ratio does not show any suppression. Furthermore, the measured $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$$/$K ratio in central Pb-Pb collisions is significantly suppressed with respect to the expectations based on a thermal model calculation, while the $\phi(1020)$$/$K ratio agrees with the model prediction. These measurements are an experimental demonstration of rescattering of $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$ decay products in the hadronic phase of the collisions. The $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$$/$K yield ratios in Pb-Pb and pp collisions are used to estimate the time duration between chemical and kinetic freeze-out, which is found to be $\sim$ 4-7 fm$/c$ for central collisions. The $p_{\rm{T}}$-differential ratios of $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$$/$K, $\phi(1020)$$/$K, $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$$/\pi$, $\phi(1020)$$/\pi$, $p/$$\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$ and $p/$$\phi(1020)$ are also presented for Pb-Pb and pp collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ $=$ 5.02 TeV. These ratios show that the rescattering effect is predominantly a low-$p_{\rm{T}}$ phenomenon.
$p_{\rm T}$-distributions of $\rm{K}^{*0}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV.
$p_{\rm T}$-distributions of $\rm{K}^{*0}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson measured in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV.
$p_{\rm T}$-distributions of $\phi$ meson measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV.
The transverse momentum ($p_{\rm{T}}$) differential yields of (anti-)$^3$He and (anti-)$^3$H measured in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV with ALICE at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are presented. The ratios of the $p_{\rm{T}}$-integrated yields of (anti-)$^3$He and (anti-)$^3$H to the proton yields are reported, as well as the $p_{\rm{T}}$ dependence of the coalescence parameters $B_3$ for (anti-)$^3$He and (anti-)$^3$H. For (anti-)$^3$He, the results obtained in four classes of the mean charged-particle multiplicity density are also discussed. These results are compared to predictions from a canonical statistical hadronization model and coalescence approaches. An upper limit on the total yield of $^4\bar{\mathrm{He}}$ is determined.
Transverse momentum spectra of (anti-)$^3\mathrm{He}$ measured in $\mathrm{INEL}>0$ p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.02$
Transverse momentum spectra of (anti-)$^3\mathrm{H}$ measured in $\mathrm{INEL}>0$ p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.02$
$^3\overline{\mathrm{He}} /\,^3\mathrm{He}$ ratio in $\mathrm{INEL}>0$ p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.02$