Measurements of the production of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays in Pb$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = $5.02$ and $2.76$ TeV using the ALICE detector at the LHC are reported. The nuclear modification factor $R_{\rm AA}$ at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV is measured at forward rapidity ($2.5 < y <4$) as a function of transverse momentum $p_{\rm T}$ in central, semi-central, and peripheral collisions over a wide $p_{\rm T}$ interval, $3 < p_{\rm T} < 20$ GeV/$c$, in which muons from beauty-hadron decays are expected to take over from charm as the dominant source at high $p_{\rm T}$ ($p_{\rm T} > 7$ GeV/$c$). The $R_{\rm AA}$ shows an increase of the suppression of the yields of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays with increasing centrality. A suppression by a factor of about three is observed in the $10\%$ most central collisions. The $R_{\rm AA}$ at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 is similar to that at 2.76 TeV. The precise $R_{\rm AA}$ measurements have the potential to distinguish between model predictions implementing different mechanisms of parton energy loss in the high-density medium formed in heavy-ion collisions. They place important constraints for the understanding of the heavy-quark interaction with the hot and dense QCD medium.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential yield of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays at forward rapidity ($2.5 < y < 4$) for central (0--10%) and semi-central (20--40%) Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential yield of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays at forward rapidity ($2.5 < y < 4$) for peripheral (60--80%) Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential yield of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays at forward rapidity ($2.5 < y < 4$) for central (0--10%) Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76$ TeV.
The multiplicity dependence of the pseudorapidity density of charged particles in proton-proton (pp) collisions at centre-of-mass energies $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02, 7 and 13 TeV measured by ALICE is reported. The analysis relies on track segments measured in the midrapidity range ($|\eta| < 1.5$). Results are presented for inelastic events having at least one charged particle produced in the pseudorapidity interval $|\eta|<1$ ($\mathrm{INEL}_{>0}$). The multiplicity dependence of the pseudorapidy density of charged particles is measured with mid and forward rapidity multiplicity estimators, the latter being less affected by autocorrelations. A detailed comparison with predictions from the PYTHIA 8 and EPOS LHC event generators is also presented. Both generators provide a good description of the data.
Charged-particle pseudorapidity density for forward multiplicity classes as a function of $\eta$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 5.02\,\mathrm{TeV}$. Statistical errors are generally insignificant.
Charged-particle pseudorapidity density for forward multiplicity classes as a function of $\eta$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 7\,\mathrm{TeV}$. Statistical errors are generally insignificant.
Charged-particle pseudorapidity density for forward multiplicity classes as a function of $\eta$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13\,\mathrm{TeV}$. Statistical errors are generally insignificant.
The inclusive production of the J/$\psi$ and $\psi$(2S) charmonium states is studied as a function of centrality in p-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 8.16$ TeV at the LHC. The measurement is performed in the dimuon decay channel with the ALICE apparatus in the centre-of-mass rapidity intervals $-4.46 < y_{\rm cms} < -2.96$ (Pb-going direction) and $2.03 < y_{\rm cms} < 3.53$ (p-going direction), down to zero transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$). The J/$\psi$ and $\psi$(2S) production cross sections are evaluated as a function of the collision centrality, estimated through the energy deposited in the zero degree calorimeter located in the Pb-going direction. The $p_{\rm T}$-differential J/$\psi$ production cross section is measured at backward and forward rapidity for several centrality classes, together with the corresponding average $\langle p_{\rm T} \rangle$ and $\langle p^{2}_{\rm T} \rangle$ values. The nuclear effects affecting the production of both charmonium states are studied using the nuclear modification factor. In the p-going direction, a suppression of the production of both charmonium states is observed, which seems to increase from peripheral to central collisions. In the Pb-going direction, however, the centrality dependence is different for the two states: the nuclear modification factor of the J/$\psi$ increases from below unity in peripheral collisions to above unity in central collisions, while for the $\psi$(2S) it stays below or consistent with unity for all centralities with no significant centrality dependence. The results are compared with measurements in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV and no significant dependence on the energy of the collision is observed. Finally, the results are compared with theoretical models implementing various nuclear matter effects.
The $p_{\rm T}$-differential inclusive J/$\psi$ cross sections for six centrality classes at backward ($-4.46 < y_{\rm cms} < -2.96$) centre-of-mass rapidity. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one and the third ones are the uncorrelated and correlated systematic uncertainties, respectively. The third uncertainty is fully correlated over $p_{\rm T}$.
The $p_{\rm T}$-differential inclusive J/$\psi$ cross sections for six centrality classes at forward ($2.03 < y_{\rm cms} < 3.53$) centre-of-mass rapidity. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one and the third ones are the uncorrelated and correlated systematic uncertainties, respectively. The third uncertainty is fully correlated over $p_{\rm T}$.
The values of $\langle p_{\rm T} \rangle$ and $\langle p^{2}_{\rm T} \rangle$ for six centrality classes at backward ($-4.46 < y_{\rm cms} < -2.96$) and forward ($2.03 < y_{\rm cms} < 3.53$) centre-of-mass rapidity. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one is the systematic uncertainty.
The invariant differential cross section of inclusive $\omega(782)$ meson production at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV was measured with the ALICE detector at the LHC over a transverse momentum range of 2 < $p_{\rm{T}}$ < 17 GeV/$c$. The $\omega$ meson was reconstructed via its $\omega\rightarrow\pi^+\pi^-\pi^0$ decay channel. The measured $\omega$ production cross section is compared to various calculations: PYTHIA 8.2 Monash 2013 describes the data, while PYTHIA 8.2 Tune 4C overestimates the data by about 50%. A recent NLO calculation, which includes a model describing the fragmentation of the whole vector-meson nonet, describes the data within uncertainties below 6 GeV/$c$, while it overestimates the data by up to 50% for higher $p_{\rm{T}}$. The $\omega/\pi^0$ ratio is in agreement with previous measurements at lower collision energies and the PYTHIA calculations. In addition, the measurement is compatible with transverse mass scaling within the measured $p_{\rm{T}}$ range and the ratio is constant with $C^{\omega/\pi^{0}}$ = 0.67 $\pm$ 0.03 (stat) $\pm$ 0.04 (sys) above a transverse momentum of 2.5 GeV/$c$.
Invariant differential cross section of OMEGA mesons produced in inelastic pp collisions at center-of-mass energy 7 TeV, the uncertainty of sigma_{MB} of 3.5% is not included in the systematic error.
The measured ratio of cross sections for inclusive OMEGA to PI0 production at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV.
Systematic studies of charge-dependent two- and three-particle correlations in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{\it{s}_\mathrm{{NN}}} = $ 2.76 and 5.02 TeV used to probe the Chiral Magnetic Effect (CME) are presented. These measurements are performed for charged particles in the pseudorapidity ($\eta$) and transverse momentum ($p_{\rm{T}}$) ranges $\left|\eta \right| < 0.8$ and $0.2 < p_{\mathrm{T}} < 5$ GeV/$c$. A significant charge-dependent signal that becomes more pronounced for peripheral collisions is reported for the CME-sensitive correlators $\gamma_{1,1} = \langle \cos (\varphi_{\alpha} +\varphi_{\beta} - 2\Psi_{2}) \rangle$ and $\gamma_{1,-3} = \langle \cos (\varphi_{\alpha} -3\varphi_{\beta} + 2\Psi_{2}) \rangle$. The results are used to estimate the contribution of background effects, associated with local charge conservation coupled to anisotropic flow modulations, to measurements of the CME. A blast-wave parametrisation that incorporates local charge conservation tuned to reproduce the centrality dependent background effects is not able to fully describe the measured $\gamma_{1,1}$. Finally, the charge and centrality dependence of mixed-harmonics three-particle correlations, of the form $\gamma_{1,2} = \langle \cos (\varphi_{\alpha} +2\varphi_{\beta} - 3\Psi_{3}) \rangle$, which are insensitive to the CME signal, verify again that background contributions dominate the measurement of $\gamma_{1,1}$.
2-particle integrated correlators
2-particle differential correlator versus pT difference
2-particle differential correlator versus average pT
This paper presents isolated photon-hadron correlations using pp and p-Pb data collected by the ALICE detector at the LHC. For photons with |$\eta$| < 0.67 and 12 < $p_{\rm{T}}$ < 40 GeV/$c$, the associated yield of charged particles in the range |$\eta$| < 0.80 and 0.5 < $p_{\rm{T}}$ < 10 GeV/$c$ is presented. These momenta are much lower than previous measurements at the LHC. No significant difference between pp and p-Pb is observed, with PYTHIA 8.2 describing both data sets within uncertainties. This measurement constrains nuclear effects on the parton fragmentation in p-Pb collisions, and provides a benchmark for future studies of Pb-Pb collisions.
$\gamma^\mathrm{iso}$-hadron correlation functions for pp (red) and p$-$Pb (blue) data at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV as measured by the ALICE detector. The different panels represent three different $z_\mathrm{T}$ bins. The correlation functions are projected over the range $|\Delta\eta| < 1.2$. The darker bands at zero represents the uncertainty from the underlying event estimation in pp and p$-$Pb. The underlying event was estimated over the range $|0.4 <\Delta\varphi < 1.6|$. The vertical bars represent statistical uncertainties only. The boxes indicate the systematic uncertainties. The dashed green line represents the $\gamma^\mathrm{iso}$-hadron correlation function obtained with PYTHIA 8.2 Monash Tune. '$p$' is the p-value for the hypothesis that the pp and p$-$Pb data follow the same true correlation function.
$\gamma^\mathrm{iso}$-hadron correlation functions for pp (red) and p$-$Pb (blue) data at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV as measured by the ALICE detector. The different panels represent three different $z_\mathrm{T}$ bins. The correlation functions are projected over the range $|\Delta\eta| < 1.2$. The darker bands at zero represents the uncertainty from the underlying event estimation in pp and p$-$Pb. The underlying event was estimated over the range $|0.4 <\Delta\varphi < 1.6|$. The vertical bars represent statistical uncertainties only. The boxes indicate the systematic uncertainties. The dashed green line represents the $\gamma^\mathrm{iso}$-hadron correlation function obtained with PYTHIA 8.2 Monash Tune. '$p$' is the p-value for the hypothesis that the pp and p$-$Pb data follow the same true correlation function.
$\gamma^\mathrm{iso}$-hadron correlation functions for pp (red) and p$-$Pb (blue) data at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV as measured by the ALICE detector. The different panels represent three different $z_\mathrm{T}$ bins. The correlation functions are projected over the range $|\Delta\eta| < 1.2$. The darker bands at zero represents the uncertainty from the underlying event estimation in pp and p$-$Pb. The underlying event was estimated over the range $|0.4 <\Delta\varphi < 1.6|$. The vertical bars represent statistical uncertainties only. The boxes indicate the systematic uncertainties. The dashed green line represents the $\gamma^\mathrm{iso}$-hadron correlation function obtained with PYTHIA 8.2 Monash Tune. '$p$' is the p-value for the hypothesis that the pp and p$-$Pb data follow the same true correlation function.
A measurement of dielectron production in proton-proton (pp) collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC, is presented in this Letter. The data set was recorded with a reduced magnetic solenoid field. This enables the investigation of a kinematic domain at low dielectron invariant mass $m_{\rm ee}$ and pair transverse momentum $p_{\rm T,ee}$ that was previously inaccessible at the LHC. The cross section for dielectron production is studied as a function of $m_{\rm ee}$, $p_{\rm T,ee}$, and event multiplicity ${\rm d} N_{\rm ch}/{\rm d} \eta$. The expected dielectron rate from hadron decays, called hadronic cocktail, utilizes a parametrization of the measured $\eta/\pi^0$ ratio in pp and proton-nucleus (p-A) collisions, assuming that this ratio shows no strong dependence on collision energy at low transverse momentum. Comparison of the measured dielectron yield to the hadronic cocktail at $0.15<m_{\rm ee}<0.6$ GeV/$c^2$ and for $p_{\rm T,ee} < 0.4$ GeV/$c$ indicates an enhancement of soft dielectrons, reminiscent of the 'anomalous' soft-photon and -dilepton excess in hadron-hadron collisions reported by several experiments under different experimental conditions. The enhancement factor over the hadronic cocktail amounts to $1.61\pm 0.13\,(\rm{stat.})\pm 0.17\,(\rm{syst., data}) \pm 0.34\,(\rm{syst., cocktail})$ in the ALICE acceptance. Acceptance-corrected excess spectra in $m_{\rm ee}$ and $p_{\rm T,ee}$ are extracted and compared with calculations of dielectron production from hadronic bremsstrahlung and thermal radiation within a hadronic many-body approach.
Differential dielectron cross section in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV as a function of $m_{\rm ee}$. Electrons are measured within $|\eta_{\rm e}| < 0.8$ and $p_{\rm T,e} > 0.075$ GeV/$c$.
Differential dielectron cross section in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV in the invariant mass interval 0.15<$m_{\rm ee}$<0.6 as a function of $p_{\rm T,ee}$. Electrons are measured within $|\eta_{\rm e}| < 0.8$ and $p_{\rm T,e} > 0.075$ GeV/$c$.
Dielectron yield per event in the excess region(0.15<$m_{\rm ee}$<0.6, $p_{\rm T,ee}$<0.4) as a function of the event multiplicity. Electrons are measured within $|\eta_{\rm e}| < 0.8$ and $p_{\rm T,e} > 0.075$ GeV/$c$.
The measurements of the (anti)deuterons elliptic flow ($v_2$) and the first measurements of triangular flow ($v_3$) in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collisions $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV are presented. A mass ordering at low transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) is observed when comparing these measurements with those of other identified hadrons, as expected from relativistic hydrodynamics. The measured (anti)deuterons $v_2$ lies between the predictions from the simple coalescence and blast-wave models, which provide a good description of the data only for more peripheral and for more central collisions, respectively. The mass number scaling, which is violated for $v_2$, is approximately valid for the (anti)deuterons $v_3$. The measured $v_2$ and $v_3$ are also compared with the predictions from a coalescence approach with phase-space distributions of nucleons generated by iEBE-VISHNU with AMPT initial conditions coupled with UrQMD, and from a dynamical model based on relativistic hydrodynamics coupled to the hadronic afterburner SMASH. The model predictions are consistent with the data within the uncertainties in mid-central collisions, while a deviation is observed in central centrality intervals.
v2 as a function of pT for Pb-Pb collisions at \sqrt{s_NN} = 5.02 TeV and centrality 0-5%.
v2 as a function of pT for Pb-Pb collisions at \sqrt{s_NN} = 5.02 TeV and centrality 5-10%.
v2 as a function of pT for Pb-Pb collisions at \sqrt{s_NN} = 5.02 TeV and centrality 10-20%.
The inclusive J/$\psi$ elliptic ($v_2$) and triangular ($v_3$) flow coefficients measured at forward rapidity (2.5 $<y<$ 4) and the $v_2$ measured at midrapidity ($|y|<$ 0.9) in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV using the ALICE detector at the LHC are reported. The entire Pb-Pb data sample collected during Run 2 is employed, amounting to an integrated luminosity of 750 $\mu$b$^{-1}$ at forward rapidity and 93 $\mu$b$^{-1}$ at midrapidity. The results are obtained using the scalar product method and are reported as a function of transverse momentum $p_{\rm T}$ and collision centrality. At midrapidity, the J/$\psi$ $v_2$ is in agreement with the forward rapidity measurement. The centrality averaged results indicate a positive J/$\psi$ $v_3$ with a significance of more than 5$\sigma$ at forward rapidity in the $p_{\rm T}$ range $2<p_{\rm T}<5$ GeV/$c$. The forward rapidity $v_2$, $v_3$, and $v_3$/$v_2$ results at low and intermediate $p_{\rm T}$ ($p_{\rm T} \lesssim 8$ GeV/$c$) exhibit a mass hierarchy when compared to pions and D mesons, while converging into a species-independent curve at higher $p_{\rm T}$. At low and intermediate $p_{\rm T}$, the results could be interpreted in terms of a later thermalization of charm quarks compared to light quarks, while at high $p_{\rm T}$, path-length dependent effects seem to dominate. The J/$\psi$ $v_2$ measurements are further compared to a microscopic transport model calculation. Using a simplified extension of the quark scaling approach involving both light and charm quark flow components, it is shown that the D-meson $v_{\rm n}$ measurements can be described based on those for charged pions and J/$\psi$ flow.
Inclusive J/$\psi$ $v_2$ as a function of $p_{T}$ in the centrality interval 0$-$10.0 %
Inclusive J/$\psi$ $v_2$ as a function of $p_{T}$ in the centrality interval 10$-$30 %
Inclusive J/$\psi$ $v_2$ as a function of $p_{T}$ in the centrality interval 30$-$50 %
The first measurements of dielectron production at midrapidity ($|\eta_{c}|<0.8$) in proton-proton and proton-lead collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV at the LHC are presented. The dielectron cross section is measured with the ALICE detector as a function of the invariant mass $m_{\rm{ee}}$ and the pair transverse momentum $p_{\rm{T,ee}}$ in the ranges $m_{\rm{ee}}$ < 3.5 GeV/$c^{2}$ and $p_{\rm{T,ee}}$ < 8.0 GeV/$c^{2}$, in both collision systems. In proton-proton collisions, the charm and beauty cross sections are determined at midrapidity from a fit to the data with two different event generators. This complements the existing dielectron measurements performed at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 and 13 TeV. The slope of the $\sqrt{s}$ dependence of the three measurements is described by FONLL calculations. The dielectron cross section measured in proton-lead collisions is in agreement, within the current precision, with the expected dielectron production without any nuclear matter effects for $\rm{e}^{+}\rm{e}^{-}$ pairs from open heavy-flavor hadron decays. For the first time at LHC energies, the dielectron production in proton-lead and proton-proton collisions are directly compared at the same $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ via the dielectron nuclear modification factor $R_{\rm{pPb}}$. The measurements are compared to model calculations including cold nuclear matter effects, or additional sources of dielectrons from thermal radiation.
Inclusive $e^+e^-$ cross section in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV as a function of $m_{\rm ee}$. Electrons are measured within $|\eta_{\rm e}| < 0.8$ and $p_{\rm T,e} > 0.2$ GeV/$c$.
Inclusive $e^+e^-$ cross section in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV as a function of $m_{\rm ee}$. Electrons are measured within $|\eta_{\rm e}| < 0.8$ and $p_{\rm T,e} > 0.2$ GeV/$c$.
Inclusive $e^+e^-$ cross section in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV as a function of $p_{\rm T,ee}$ for $0.5 < m_{\rm ee} < 1.1$ GeV/$c$. Electrons are measured within $|\eta_{\rm e}| < 0.8$ and $p_{\rm T,e} > 0.2$ GeV/$c$.
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