Measurements of cross sections of inelastic and diffractive processes in proton--proton collisions at LHC energies were carried out with the ALICE detector. The fractions of diffractive processes in inelastic collisions were determined from a study of gaps in charged particle pseudorapidity distributions: for single diffraction (diffractive mass $M_X < 200$ GeV/$c^2$) $\sigma_{\rm SD}/\sigma_{\rm INEL} = 0.21 \pm 0.03, 0.20^{+0.07}_{-0.08}$, and $0.20^{+0.04}_{-0.07}$, respectively at centre-of-mass energies $\sqrt{s} = 0.9, 2.76$, and 7~TeV; for double diffraction (for a pseudorapidity gap $\Delta\eta > 3$) $\sigma_{\rm DD}/\sigma_{\rm INEL} = 0.11 \pm 0.03, 0.12 \pm 0.05$, and $0.12^{+0.05}_{-0.04}$, respectively at $\sqrt{s} = 0.9, 2.76$, and 7~TeV. To measure the inelastic cross section, beam properties were determined with van der Meer scans, and, using a simulation of diffraction adjusted to data, the following values were obtained: $\sigma_{\rm INEL} = 62.8^{+2.4}_{-4.0} (model) \pm 1.2 (lumi)$ mb at $\sqrt{s} =$ 2.76~TeV and $73.2^{+2.0}_{-4.6} (model) \pm 2.6 (lumi)$ mb at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7~TeV. The single- and double-diffractive cross sections were calculated combining relative rates of diffraction with inelastic cross sections. The results are compared to previous measurements at proton--antiproton and proton--proton colliders at lower energies, to measurements by other experiments at the LHC, and to theoretical models.
Production ratios of SD with $M_{X} < 200 GeV/c^2$ to INEL.
Production ratios of DD with $\Delta\eta >3$ to INEL.
Single diffraction cross-section for $M_{X} < 200 GeV/c^2$.
We report on the production of inclusive $\Upsilon$(1S) and $\Upsilon$(2S) in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV at the LHC. The measurement is performed with the ALICE detector at backward ($-4.46< y_{{\rm cms}}<-2.96$) and forward ($2.03< y_{{\rm cms}}<3.53$) rapidity down to zero transverse momentum. The production cross sections of the $\Upsilon$(1S) and $\Upsilon$(2S) are presented, as well as the nuclear modification factor and the ratio of the forward to backward yields of $\Upsilon$(1S). A suppression of the inclusive $\Upsilon$(1S) yield in p-Pb collisions with respect to the yield from pp collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions is observed at forward rapidity but not at backward rapidity. The results are compared to theoretical model calculations including nuclear shadowing or partonic energy loss effects.
Inclusive UPSI(1S) production cross section as a function of rapidity in p-Pb collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 5.02 TeV. The data was collected in 2013 with two beam configurations, p-Pb and Pb-p with integrated luminosities of 5.0 nb-1 and 5.8 nb-1, respectively.
Inclusive UPSI(1S) production cross section as a function of rapidity in p-Pb collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 5.02 TeV. The data was collected in 2013 with two beam configurations, p-Pb and Pb-p with integrated luminosities of 5.0 nb-1 and 5.8 nb-1, respectively.
Inclusive UPSI(2S) production cross section as a function of rapidity in p-Pb collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 5.02 TeV. The data was collected in 2013 with two beam configurations, p-Pb and Pb-p with integrated luminosities of 5.0 nb-1 and 5.8 nb-1, respectively.
The $p_{\rm T}$-differential production cross sections of the prompt (B feed-down subtracted) charmed mesons D$^0$, D$^+$, and D$^{*+}$ in the rapidity range $|y|<0.5$, and for transverse momentum $1< p_{\rm T} <12$ GeV/$c$, were measured in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 2.76$ TeV with the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The analysis exploited the hadronic decays D$^0 \rightarrow $K$\pi$, D$^+ \rightarrow $K$\pi\pi$, D$^{*+} \rightarrow $D$^0\pi$, and their charge conjugates, and was performed on a $L_{\rm int} = 1.1$ nb$^{-1}$ event sample collected in 2011 with a minimum-bias trigger. The total charm production cross section at $\sqrt{s} = 2.76$ TeV and at 7 TeV was evaluated by extrapolating to the full phase space the $p_{\rm T}$-differential production cross sections at $\sqrt{s} = 2.76$ TeV and our previous measurements at $\sqrt{s} = 7$ TeV. The results were compared to existing measurements and to perturbative-QCD calculations. The fraction of cdbar D mesons produced in a vector state was also determined.
Production cross section in |y| < 0.5 for prompt D0, D+, and D*+ mesons in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 2.76 TeV, in transverse momentum intervals. The second (sys) error is the uncertainty on the respective branching ratios.
Visible production cross sections of prompt D mesons for |y|<0.5 in pp collisions at sqrts=2.76 and 7 TeV. The normalization systematic uncertainty of 1.9% (3.5%) at sqrts=2.76 (7) TeV and the decay BR uncertainties are not quoted here.
Production cross sections dsig/dy of D mesons, integrated over all pt for |y|<0.5. The second (sys) error is the from the luminosity uncertainty, the third from the branching-ratio uncertainties and the fourth is from the extrapolation uncertainty.
The ratios of yields of anti-baryons to baryons probes the mechanisms of baryon-number transport. Results for $\bar{\rm p}/{\rm p}$, $\bar{\rm \Lambda}/{\rm \Lambda}$, $\rm\bar{\Xi}$$^{+}/{\rm \Xi}^{-}$ and $\rm\bar{\Omega}$$^{+}/{\rm \Omega}^{-}$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 0.9$, 2.76 and 7 TeV, measured with the ALICE detector at the LHC, are reported. Within the experimental uncertainties and ranges covered by our measurement, these ratios are independent of rapidity, transverse momentum and multiplicity for all measured energies. The results are compared to expectations from event generators, such as PYTHIA and HIJING-B, that are used to model the particle production in pp collisions. The energy dependence of $\bar{\rm p}/{\rm p}$, $\bar{\rm \Lambda}/{\rm \Lambda}$, $\rm\bar{\Xi}$$^{+}/{\rm \Xi^{-}}$ and $\rm\bar{\Omega}$$^{+}/{\rm \Omega^{-}}$, reaching values compatible with unity for $\sqrt{s} = 7$ TeV, complement the earlier $\bar{\rm p}/{\rm p}$ measurement of ALICE. These dependencies can be described by exchanges with the Regge-trajectory intercept of $\alpha_{\rm {J}} \approx 0.5$, which are suppressed with increasing rapidity interval ${\rm \Delta} y$. Any significant contribution of an exchange not suppressed at large ${\rm \Delta} y$ (reached at LHC energies) is disfavoured.
The pbar/p ratio at sqrt(s) = 2.76 TeV as a function of pT.
The pbar/p ratio at sqrt(s) = 2.76 TeV as a function of rapidity.
The LambdaBar/Lambda ratio at sqrt(s) = 0.9 TeV as a function of pT.
The $p_{\rm T}$-differential inclusive production cross section of the prompt charm-strange meson $\rm D_s^+$ in the rapidity range $|y|<0.5$ was measured in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV at the LHC using the ALICE detector. The analysis was performed on a data sample of $2.98 \times 10^8$ events collected with a minimum-bias trigger. The corresponding integrated luminosity is $L_{\rm int}=4.8$/nb. Reconstructing the decay ${\rm D_s^{+}\to \phi\pi^+}$, with $\phi\to {\rm K}^-{\rm K}^+$, and its charge conjugate, about 480 ${\rm D_s^{\pm}}$ mesons were counted, after selection cuts, in the transverse momentum range $2<p_{\rm T}<12$ Gev/$c$. The results are compared with predictions from models based on perturbative QCD. The ratios of the cross sections of four D meson species (namely ${\rm D^0}$, ${\rm D^+}$, ${\rm D^{*+}}$ and ${\rm D_s^+}$) were determined both as a function of $p_{\rm T}$ and integrated over $p_{\rm T}$ after extrapolating to full $p_{\rm T}$ range, together with the strangeness suppression factor in charm fragmentation. The obtained values are found to be compatible within uncertainties with those measured by other experiments in $\rm e^+e^-$, ep and pp interactions at various centre-of-mass energies.
pT-differential inclusive cross section in |y| < 0.5 for prompt D_s^+ meson production in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV.
pT-integrated inclusive cross section in |y| < 0.5 for prompt D_s^+ meson production in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV. The latter three systematic uncertainties arise from extrapolating the visible cross section to the full pT range, luminosity, and the branching ratio, respectively.
Ratio of D^+ to D^0 meson production cross sections in |y| < 0.5 as a function of pT.
The ALICE measurement of K$^0_{\rm S}$ and $\rm\Lambda$ production at mid-rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV is presented. The transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) spectra are shown for several collision centrality intervals and in the $p_{\rm T}$ range from 0.4 GeV/$c$ (0.6 GeV/$c$ for $\rm\Lambda$) to 12 GeV/$c$. The $p_{\rm T}$ dependence of the $\rm \Lambda$/K$^0_{\rm S}$ ratios exhibits maxima in the vicinity of 3 GeV/$c$, and the positions of the maxima shift towards higher $p_{\rm T}$ with increasing collision centrality. The magnitude of these maxima increases by almost a factor of three between most peripheral and most central Pb-Pb collisions. This baryon excess at intermediate $p_{\rm T}$ is not observed in pp interactions at sqrt(s) = 0.9 TeV and at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV. Qualitatively, the baryon enhancement in heavy-ion collisions is expected from radial flow. However, the measured $p_{\rm T}$ spectra above 2 GeV/$c$ progressively decouple from hydrodynamical-model calculations. For higher values of $p_{\rm T}$, models that incorporate the influence of the medium on the fragmentation and hadronization processes describe qualitatively the $p_{\rm T}$ dependence of the $\rm\Lambda$/K$^0_{\rm S}$ ratio.
pT spectra of K0Short in the rapidity range -0.5<y<0.5 in the centrality interval 0.0-5.0%.
pT spectra of K0Short in the rapidity range -0.5<y<0.5 in the centrality interval 5.0-10.0%.
pT spectra of K0Short in the rapidity range -0.5<y<0.5 in the centrality interval 10.0-20.0%.
The production of prompt D$_s^+$ mesons was measured for the first time in collisions of heavy nuclei with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The analysis was performed on a data sample of Pb-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair, $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$, of 2.76 TeV in two different centrality classes, namely 0-10% and 20-50%. D$_s^+$ mesons and their antiparticles were reconstructed at mid-rapidity from their hadronic decay channel D$_s^+\rightarrow\phi\pi^+$, with $\phi\rightarrow$K$^-$K$^+$, in the transverse momentum intervals $4< p_{\rm T}<12$ GeV/$c$ and $6< p_{\rm T}<12$ GeV/$c$ for the 0-10% and 20-50% centrality classes, respectively. The nuclear modification factor $R_{\rm AA}$ was computed by comparing the $p_{\rm T}$-differential production yields in Pb-Pb collisions to those in proton-proton (pp) collisions at the same energy. This pp reference was obtained using the cross section measured at $\sqrt{s}= 7$ TeV and scaled to $\sqrt{s}= 2.76$ TeV. The $R_{\rm AA}$ of D$_s^+$ mesons was compared to that of non-strange D mesons in the 10% most central Pb-Pb collisions. At high $p_{\rm T}$ ($8< p_{\rm T}<12$ GeV/$c$) a suppression of the D$_s^+$-meson yield by a factor of about three, compatible within uncertainties with that of non-strange D mesons, is observed. At lower $p_{\rm T}$ ($4< p_{\rm T}<8$ GeV/$c$) the values of the D$_s^+$-meson $R_{\rm AA}$ are larger than those of non-strange D mesons, although compatible within uncertainties. The production ratios D$_s^+$/D$^0$ and D$_s^+$\D$^+$ were also measured in Pb-Pb collisions and compared to their values in proton-proton collisions.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential yield of prompt D$_s^+$ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$=2.76 TeV in the centrality class 0-10% in the rapidity interval |y|<0.5. Branching ratio of D$_s^+$->$\phi\pi^+$->$K^+K^-\pi^+$ : 0.0224. The second (sys) error is the systematic uncertainty from the B feed-down contribution. The first (sys) error is the systematic uncertainty from the other sources.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential yield of prompt D$_s^+$ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$=2.76 TeV in the centrality class 20-50% in the rapidity interval |y|<0.5. Branching ratio of D$_s^+$->$\phi\pi^+$->$K^+K^-\pi^+$ : 0.0224. The second (sys) error is the systematic uncertainty from the B feed-down contribution. The first (sys) error is the systematic uncertainty from the other sources.
Nuclear modification factor $R_{\rm AA}$ of D$_s^+$ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$=2.76 TeV in the centrality class 0-10% in |y| < 0.5 as a function of $p_{\rm T}$.
The production of prompt charmed mesons D$^0$, D$^+$ and D$^{*+}$, and their antiparticles, was measured with the ALICE detector in Pb-Pb collisions at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair, $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$, of 2.76 TeV. The production yields for rapidity $|y|<0.5$ are presented as a function of transverse momentum, $p_{\rm T}$, in the interval 1-36 GeV/$c$ for the centrality class 0-10% and in the interval 1-16 GeV/$c$ for the centrality class 30-50%. The nuclear modification factor $R_{\rm AA}$ was computed using a proton-proton reference at $\sqrt{s} = 2.76$ TeV, based on measurements at $\sqrt{s} = 7$ TeV and on theoretical calculations. A maximum suppression by a factor of 5-6 with respect to binary-scaled pp yields is observed for the most central collisions at $p_{\rm T}$ of about 10 GeV/$c$. A suppression by a factor of about 2-3 persists at the highest $p_{\rm T}$ covered by the measurements. At low $p_{\rm T}$ (1-3 GeV/$c$), the $R_{\rm AA}$ has large uncertainties that span the range 0.35 (factor of about 3 suppression) to 1 (no suppression). In all $p_{\rm T}$ intervals, the $R_{\rm AA}$ is larger in the 30-50% centrality class compared to central collisions. The D-meson $R_{\rm AA}$ is also compared with that of charged pions and, at large $p_{\rm T}$, charged hadrons, and with model calculations.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential yield of prompt ${\rm D}^{0}$ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76~{\rm TeV}$ in the centrality class 0-10% in the rapidity interval |y|<0.5. Branching ratio of ${\rm D}^{0}$->${\rm K}^{0}\pi^{+}$ : 0.0388. The second (sys) error is the systematic uncertainty from the B feed-down contribution. The first (sys) error is the systematic uncertainty from the other sources.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential yield of prompt ${\rm D}^{+}$ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76~{\rm TeV}$ in the centrality class 0-10% in the rapidity interval |y|<0.5. Branching ratio of ${\rm D}^{+}$->${\rm K}^{-}\pi^{+}\pi^{+}$ : 0.0913. The second (sys) error is the systematic uncertainty from the B feed-down contribution. The first (sys) error is the systematic uncertainty from the other sources.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential yield of prompt ${\rm D}^{*+}$ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76~{\rm TeV}$ in the centrality class 0-10% in the rapidity interval |y|<0.5. Branching ratio of ${\rm D}^{*+}$->${\rm D}^{0}\pi^{+}$->${\rm K}^{-}\pi^{+}\pi^{+}$ : 0.0388*0.677. The second (sys) error is the systematic uncertainty from the B feed-down contribution. The first (sys) error is the systematic uncertainty from the other sources.
The inclusive production of the $\psi$(2S) charmonium state was studied as a function of centrality in p-Pb collisions at the nucleon-nucleon center of mass energy $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV at the CERN LHC. The measurement was performed with the ALICE detector in the center of mass rapidity ranges $-4.46<y_{\rm cms}<-2.96$ and $2.03<y_{\rm cms}<3.53$, down to zero transverse momentum, by reconstructing the $\psi$(2S) decay to a muon pair. The $\psi$(2S) production cross section $\sigma_{\psi(\rm 2S)}$ is presented as a function of the collision centrality, which is estimated through the energy deposited in forward rapidity calorimeters. The relative strength of nuclear effects on the $\psi$(2S) and on the corresponding 1S charmonium state J/$\psi$ is then studied by means of the double ratio of cross sections $[\sigma_{\psi(\rm 2S)}/\sigma_{\rm J/\psi}]_{\rm pPb}/[\sigma_{\psi(\rm 2S)}/\sigma_{\rm J/\psi}]_{\rm pp}$ between p-Pb and pp collisions, and by the values of the nuclear modification factors for the two charmonium states. The results show a large suppression of $\psi$(2S) production relative to the J/$\psi$ at backward (negative) rapidity, corresponding to the flight direction of the Pb-nucleus, while at forward (positive) rapidity the suppressions of the two states are comparable. Finally, comparisons to results from lower energy experiments and to available theoretical models are presented.
Centrality-differential cross section dsigma_JPsi/dy in the backward and forward rapidity ranges (-4.46<y_cms<-2.96 and 2.03<y_cms<3.53). The first uncertainty is statistical, the second is a systematic one. The third uncertainty is a systematic uncertainty fully correlated over centrality.
Centrality dependence of the Psi(2S)/J/Psi ratio in the backward and forward rapidity ranges (-4.46<y_cms<-2.96 and 2.03<y_cms<3.53). The first uncertainty is statistical, the second is a systematic one. The third systematic uncertainty is fully correlated over centrality.
Centrality dependence of the (Psi(2S)/J/Psi)_pA/(Psi(2S)/J/Psi)_pp double ratio in the backward and forward rapidity range (-4.46<y_cms<-2.96 and 2.03<y_cms<3.53). The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one is a systematic one. The third systematic uncertainty is fully correlated over centrality, but uncorrelated versus rapidity, while the fourth uncertainty is fully correlated over centrality and over rapidity.
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%.
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