Charged-particle multiplicity distributions over a wide pseudorapidity range in p-Pb collisions at $\mathbf{\sqrt{s}_{NN} = 5.02}$ TeV

The ALICE collaboration Acharya, Shreyasi ; Agarwal, Apar ; Aglieri Rinella, Gianluca ; et al.
Eur.Phys.J.C 85 (2025) 919, 2025.
Inspire Record 2895567 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.160246

This paper presents the primary charged-particle multiplicity distributions in proton-lead collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collision of $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV. The distributions are reported for non-single diffractive collisions in different pseudorapidity ranges. The measurements are performed using the combined information from the Silicon Pixel Detector and the Forward Multiplicity Detector of ALICE. The multiplicity distributions are parametrised with a double negative binomial distribution function which provides satisfactory descriptions of the distributions for all the studied pseudorapidity intervals. The data are compared to models and analysed quantitatively, evaluating the first four moments (mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis). The shape evolution of the measured multiplicity distributions is studied in terms of KNO variables and it is found that none of the considered models reproduces the measurements. This paper also reports on the average charged-particle multiplicity, normalised by the average number of participating nucleon pairs, as a function of the collision energy. The multiplicity results are then compared to measurements made in proton-proton and nucleus-nucleus collisions across a wide range of collision energies.

10 data tables

Charged-particle multiplicity distributions for different pseudorapidity intervals measured in NSD p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5020~\mathrm{GeV}$.

The pseudorapidity dependence of the double NBD parameters $\langle n \rangle_1$, $\langle n \rangle_2$, $k_1$, and $k_2$ in NSD p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5020~\mathrm{GeV}$.

First four moments ($\langle N_{\mathrm{ch}}\rangle$, $\sigma$, $S$, and $\kappa$) of charged-particle multiplicity distributions for different pseudorapidity intervals in NSD p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5020~\mathrm{GeV}$.

More…

Search for medium effects using jet axis decorrelation in inclusive jets from PbPb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\text{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV

The CMS collaboration Chekhovsky, Vladimir ; Hayrapetyan, Aram ; Makarenko, Vladimir ; et al.
JHEP 06 (2025) 120, 2025.
Inspire Record 2890802 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.156182

The jet axis decorrelation in inclusive jets is studied using lead-lead (PbPb) collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 5.02 TeV. The jet axis decorrelation is defined as the angular difference between two definitions of the jet axis. It is obtained by applying two recombination schemes on all the constituents of a given jet reconstructed by the anti-$k_\mathrm{T}$ sequential algorithm with a distance parameter of $R$ = 0.4. The data set, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.66 nb$^{-1}$, was collected in 2018 with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The jet axis decorrelations are examined across collision centrality selections and intervals of jet transverse momentum. A centrality dependent evolution of the measured distributions is observed, with a progressive narrowing seen in more central events. This narrowing could result from medium-induced modification of the internal jet structure or reflect color charge effects in energy loss. This new measurement probes jet substructure in previously unexplored kinematic domains and show great promise for providing new insights on the color charge dependence of energy loss to jet-quenching models.

4 data tables

The unfolded jet axis decorrelation distribution,$\frac{1}{N} \frac{dN}{d\Delta j}$, as a function of $\Delta j$ for the $0-10\%$, $10-30\%$, $30-50\%$, and $50-80\%$ centrality bins in the $120 < p_{\mathrm{T}} < 150$ GeV interval.

The unfolded jet axis decorrelation distribution,$\frac{1}{N} \frac{dN}{d\Delta j}$, as a function of $\Delta j$ for the $0-10\%$, $10-30\%$, $30-50\%$, and $50-80\%$ centrality bins in the $150 < p_{\mathrm{T}} < 190$ GeV interval.

The unfolded jet axis decorrelation distribution,$\frac{1}{N} \frac{dN}{d\Delta j}$, as a function of $\Delta j$ for the $0-10\%$, $10-30\%$, $30-50\%$, and $50-80\%$ centrality bins in the $190 < p_{\mathrm{T}} < 230$ GeV interval.

More…

Evidence for similar collectivity of high transverse momentum particles in pPb and PbPb collisions

The CMS collaboration Chekhovsky, Vladimir ; Hayrapetyan, Aram ; Makarenko, Vladimir ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Lett. 135 (2025) 071903, 2025.
Inspire Record 2878694 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.156174

Charged hadron elliptic anisotropies ($v_2$) are presented over a wide transverse momentum ($p_\text{T}$) range for proton-lead (pPb) and lead-lead (PbPb) collisions at nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energies of 8.16 and 5.02 TeV, respectively. The data were recorded by the CMS experiment and correspond to integrated luminosities of 186 nb$^{-1}$ and 0.607 nb$^{-1}$ for the pPb and PbPb systems, respectively. A four-particle cumulant analysis is performed using subevents separated in pseudorapidity to effectively suppress non-collective effects. At high $p_\text{T}$ ($p_\text{T}$$\gt$ 8 GeV), significant positive $v_2$ values are observed that are similar between pPb and PbPb collisions at comparable charged particle multiplicities. This observation suggests a common origin for the multi-particle collectivity for high-$p_\text{T}$ particles in the two systems.

6 data tables

The elliptic anisotropy $v_2\{4\}$ for charged hadron as a function of $p_T$ in pPb collisions at 8.16 TeV in $185 \le N_{trk}^{offline} <250$.

The elliptic anisotropy $v_2\{4\}$ for charged hadron as a function of $p_T$ in PbPb collisions at 5.02 TeV in $185 \le N_{trk}^{offline} <250$.

The elliptic anisotropy $v_2\{4\}$ as a function of $p_T$ with 4-subevent method compared between pPb collisions at 8.16 TeV and PbPb collisions at 5.02 TeV in $185 \le N_{trk}^{offline} <250$.

More…

First measurement of symmetric cumulants of hexagonal flow harmonics in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV

The ALICE collaboration Acharya, Shreyasi ; Agarwal, Apar ; Aglieri Rinella, Gianluca ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 112 (2025) 024905, 2025.
Inspire Record 2865181 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.159493

Correlations between event-by-event fluctuations of anisotropic flow harmonics are measured in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 5.02 TeV, as recorded by the ALICE detector at the LHC. This study presents correlations up to the hexagonal flow harmonic, $v_6$, which was measured for the first time. The magnitudes of these higher-order correlations are found to vary as a function of collision centrality and harmonic order. These measurements are compared to viscous hydrodynamic model calculations with EKRT initial conditions and to the iEBE-VISHNU model with TRENTo initial conditions. The observed discrepancies between the data and the model calculations vary depending on the harmonic combinations. Due to the sensitivity of model parameters estimated with Bayesian analyses to these higher-order observables, the results presented in this work provide new and independent constraints on the initial conditions and transport properties in theoretical models used to describe the system created in heavy-ion collisions.

5 data tables

NSC(5,2) vs centrality in Pb-Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV

NSC(5,3) vs centrality in Pb-Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV

NSC(6,2) vs centrality in Pb-Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV

More…

Measurement of light-by-light scattering and the Breit-Wheeler process, and search for axion-like particles in ultraperipheral PbPb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV

The CMS collaboration Hayrapetyan, Aram ; Tumasyan, Armen ; Adam, Wolfgang ; et al.
JHEP 08 (2025) 006, 2025.
Inspire Record 2861858 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.155674

Measurements of light-by-light scattering (LbL, $γγ$$\to$$γγ$) and the Breit-Wheeler process (BW, $γγ$$\to$$\mathrm{e^+e^-}$) are reported in ultraperipheral PbPb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 5.02 TeV. The data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.7 nb$^{-1}$, was collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC in 2018. Events with an exclusively produced $γγ$ or $\mathrm{e^+e^-}$ pair with invariant masses $m^{γγ,\mathrm{ee}}$$>$ 5 GeV, along with other fiducial criteria, are selected. The measured BW fiducial production cross section, $σ_\text{fid}$($γγ$$\to$$\mathrm{e^+e^-}$) = 263.5 $\pm$ 1.8 (stat) $\pm$ 17.8 (syst) $μ$b, as well as the differential distributions for various kinematic observables, are in agreement with leading-order quantum electrodynamics predictions complemented with final-state photon radiation. The measured differential BW cross sections allow discriminating between different theoretical descriptions of the photon flux of the lead ion. In the LbL final state, 26 exclusive diphoton candidate events are observed compared with 12.0 $\pm$ 2.9 expected for the background. Combined with previous results, the observed significance of the LbL signal with respect to the background-only hypothesis is above five standard deviations. The measured fiducial LbL scattering cross section, $σ_\text{fid} (γγ$$\to$$γγ)$ = 107 $\pm$ 24 (stat) $\pm$ 13 (syst) nb, is in agreement with next-to-leading-order predictions. Limits on the production of axion-like particles coupled to photons are set over the mass range 5-100 GeV, including the most stringent limits to date in the range of 5-10 GeV.

9 data tables

Probability for different neutron multiplicity classes (0n, 1n, and Xn with X $\ge$1) measured on each ZDC side for the exclusive $e^{+}e^{-}$ events passing the fiducial phase space of Table 1. The measured ratios are compared with SUPERCHIC 4.2, STARLIGHT 3.13, and gamma-UPC 1.6 predictions.

Differential cross sections for exclusive dielectron production, in the fiducial phase space of Table 1, as functions of the pair $p_T$. Data are compared with SUPERCHIC + FSR(PHOTOS++), STARLIGHT + FSR(PY8), and gamma-UPC + FSR(PY8) predictions.

Differential cross sections for exclusive dielectron production, in the fiducial phase space of Table 1, as functions of the pair rapidity. Data are compared with SUPERCHIC + FSR(PHOTOS++), STARLIGHT + FSR(PY8), and gamma-UPC + FSR(PY8) predictions.

More…

System size and energy dependence of the mean transverse momentum fluctuations at the LHC

The ALICE collaboration Acharya, Shreyasi ; Agarwal, Apar ; Aglieri Rinella, Gianluca ; et al.
Eur.Phys.J.C 85 (2025) 776, 2025.
Inspire Record 2848476 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.159277

Event-by-event fluctuations of the event-wise mean transverse momentum, $\langle p_{\mathrm{T}}\rangle$, of charged particles produced in proton$-$proton (pp) collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV, Xe$-$Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} =$ 5.44 TeV, and Pb$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} =$ 5.0 TeV are studied using the ALICE detector based on the integral correlator $\langle\langle Δp_{\rm T}Δp_{\rm T}\rangle\rangle $. The correlator strength is found to decrease monotonically with increasing produced charged-particle multiplicity measured at midrapidity in all three systems. In Xe$-$Xe and Pb$-$Pb collisions, the multiplicity dependence of the correlator deviates significantly from a simple power-law scaling as well as from the predictions of the HIJING and AMPT models. The observed deviation from power-law scaling is expected from transverse radial flow in semicentral to central Xe$-$Xe and Pb$-$Pb collisions. In pp collisions, the correlation strength is also studied by classifying the events based on the transverse spherocity, $S_0$, of the particle production at midrapidity, used as a proxy for the presence of a pronounced back-to-back jet topology. Low-spherocity (jetty) events feature a larger correlation strength than those with high spherocity (isotropic). The strength and multiplicity dependence of jetty and isotropic events are well reproduced by calculations with the PYTHIA 8 and EPOS LHC models.

12 data tables

Normalized transverse momentum correlator, $\sqrt{ \langle\langle \Delta p_{{\rm T}1}\Delta p_{{\rm T}2} \rangle\rangle }$$/\langle\langle p_{\rm T} \rangle\rangle $, as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity density, $\langle{\rm d}N_{\rm ch}/{\rm d}\eta \rangle$, in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV.

Normalized transverse momentum correlator, $\sqrt{ \langle\langle \Delta p_{{\rm T}1}\Delta p_{{\rm T}2} \rangle\rangle }$$/\langle\langle p_{\rm T} \rangle\rangle $, as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity density, $\langle{\rm d}N_{\rm ch}/{\rm d}\eta \rangle$, in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV.

Normalized transverse momentum correlator, $\sqrt{ \langle\langle \Delta p_{{\rm T}1}\Delta p_{{\rm T}2} \rangle\rangle }$$/\langle\langle p_{\rm T} \rangle\rangle $, as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity density, $\langle{\rm d}N_{\rm ch}/{\rm d}\eta \rangle$, in Xe--Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.44 TeV.

More…

Observation of partonic flow in proton-proton and proton-nucleus collisions

The ALICE collaboration Acharya, Shreyasi ; Agarwal, Apar ; Aglieri Rinella, Gianluca ; et al.
CERN-EP-2024-299, 2024.
Inspire Record 2848254 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.165859

Quantum Chromodynamics predicts a phase transition from ordinary hadronic matter to the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) at high temperatures and energy densities, where quarks and gluons (partons) are not confined within hadrons. The QGP is generated in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions. Anisotropic flow coefficients, quantifying the anisotropic azimuthal expansion of the produced matter, provide a unique tool to unravel QGP properties. Flow measurements in high-energy heavy-ion collisions show a distinctive grouping of anisotropic flow for baryons and mesons at intermediate transverse momentum, a feature associated with flow being imparted at the quark level, confirming the existence of the QGP. The observation of QGP-like features in relativistic proton-proton and proton-ion collisions has sparked debate about possible QGP formation in smaller collision systems, which remains unresolved. In this article, we demonstrate for the first time the distinctive grouping of anisotropic flow for baryons and mesons in high-multiplicity proton-lead and proton-proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). These results are described by a model that includes hydrodynamic flow followed by hadron formation via quark coalescence, replicating features observed in heavy-ion collisions. This observation is consistent with the formation of a partonic flowing system in proton-proton and proton-lead collisions at the LHC.

10 data tables

$v_2${2, $1.1<|\Delta\eta|< 7.8$} of $\mathrm{\pi}^{\pm}$ as a function of $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ in high-multiplicity p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV.

$v_2${2, $1.1<|\Delta\eta|< 7.8$} of $\mathrm{K}^{\pm}$ as a function of $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ in high-multiplicity p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV.

$v_2${2, $1.1<|\Delta\eta|< 7.8$} of p + $\rm\overline p$ as a function of $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ in high-multiplicity p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV.

More…

Proton emission in ultraperipheral Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{\textit{s}_{\mathrm{\textbf{NN}}}}=5.02$ TeV

The ALICE collaboration Acharya, Shreyasi ; Agarwal, Apar ; Aglieri Rinella, Gianluca ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 111 (2025) 054906, 2025.
Inspire Record 2846998 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.157600

The first measurements of proton emission accompanied by neutron emission in the electromagnetic dissociation (EMD) of $^{208}$Pb nuclei in the ALICE experiment at the LHC are presented. The EMD protons and neutrons emitted at very forward rapidities are detected by the proton and neutron Zero Degree Calorimeters of the ALICE experiment. The emission cross sections of zero, one, two, and three protons accompanied by at least one neutron were measured in ultraperipheral $^{208}$Pb--$^{208}$Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV. The 0p and 3p cross sections are described by the RELDIS model within their measurement uncertainties, while the 1p and 2p cross sections are underestimated by the model by 17-25%. According to this model, these 0p, 1p, 2p, and 3p cross sections are associated, respectively, with the production of various isotopes of Pb, Tl, Hg, and Au in the EMD of $^{208}$Pb. The cross sections of the emission of a single proton accompanied by the emission of one, two, or three neutrons in EMD were also measured. The data are significantly overestimated by the RELDIS model, which predicts that the (1p,1n), (1p,2n), and (1p,3n) cross sections are very similar to the cross sections for the production of the thallium isotopes $^{206,205,204}$Tl.

2 data tables

Measured cross sections of the emission of a given number of protons k accompanied by at least one neutron i in UPC of Pb nuclei.

Measured cross sections of the emission of a given number of neutrons i accompanied by a single proton in UPC of Pb nuclei.


Measurements of differential two-particle number and transverse momentum correlation functions in pp collisions at $\sqrt{\textit{s}}$ = 13 TeV

The ALICE collaboration Acharya, Shreyasi ; Agarwal, Apar ; Aglieri Rinella, Gianluca ; et al.
Eur.Phys.J.C 85 (2025) 866, 2025.
Inspire Record 2847021 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.159895

Differential two-particle normalized cumulants ($R_2$) and transverse momentum correlations ($P_2$) are measured as a function of the relative pseudorapidity and azimuthal angle difference $( \Delta \eta, \Delta \varphi )$ of charged particle pairs in minimum bias pp collisions at $\sqrt{\textit{s}}$ = 13 TeV. The measurements use charged hadrons in the pseudorapidity region of $|\eta| < 0.8$ and the transverse momentum range 0.2 $< \textit{p}_{\mathrm T} < $ 2.0 $\mathrm{GeV}/\textit{c}$ in order to focus on soft multiparticle interactions and to complement prior measurements of these correlation functions in p-Pb and Pb-Pb collisions. The correlation functions are reported for both unlike-sign and like-sign pairs and their charge-independent and charge-dependent combinations. Both the $R_2$ and $P_2$ measured in pp collisions exhibit features qualitatively similar to those observed in p-Pb and Pb-Pb collisions. The $\Delta\eta$ and $\Delta\varphi$ root mean square widths of the near-side peak of the correlation functions are evaluated and compared with those observed in p-Pb and Pb-Pb collisions and show smooth evolution with the multiplicity of charged particles produced in the collision. The comparison of the measured correlation functions with predictions from PYTHIA8 shows that this model qualitatively captures their basic structure and characteristics but feature important differences. In addition, the $R_2^{\rm CD}$ is used to determine the charge balance function of hadrons produced within the detector acceptance of the measurements. The integral of the balance function is found to be compatible with those reported by a previous measurement in Pb-Pb collisions. These results, which are sensitive to the interplay between the underlying event and mini-jets in pp collisions, establish a baseline for heavy-ion collisions.

21 data tables

Correlation functions $R_2^{\rm US}$ of charged hadrons measured in minimum bias pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13\;\text{TeV}$. Charged hadrons are selected in the range $0.2 < p_{\rm T} < 2.0$ GeV/$c$ and with pseudorapidity $|\eta| < 0.8$.

Correlation functions $R_2^{\rm LS}$ of charged hadrons measured in minimum bias pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13\;\text{TeV}$. Charged hadrons are selected in the range $0.2 < p_{\rm T} < 2.0$ GeV/$c$ and with pseudorapidity $|\eta| < 0.8$.

Correlation functions $P_2^{\rm US}$ of charged hadrons measured in minimum bias pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13\;\text{TeV}$. Charged hadrons are selected in the range $0.2 < p_{\rm T} < 2.0$ GeV/$c$ and with pseudorapidity $|\eta| < 0.8$.

More…

Medium-induced modification of groomed and ungroomed jet mass and angularities in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV

The ALICE collaboration Acharya, Shreyasi ; Agarwal, Apar ; Aglieri Rinella, Gianluca ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 864 (2025) 139409, 2025.
Inspire Record 2845788 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.157864

The ALICE Collaboration presents a new suite of jet substructure measurements in Pb-Pb and pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $\sqrt{s}_{\rm NN} = 5.02$ TeV. These measurements provide access to the internal structure of jets via the momentum and angle of their constituents, probing how the quark--gluon plasma modifies jets, an effect known as jet quenching. Jet grooming additionally removes soft wide-angle radiation to enhance perturbative accuracy and reduce experimental uncertainties. We report the groomed and ungroomed jet mass $m_{\rm jet}$ and jet angularities $\lambda_\alpha^\kappa$ using $\kappa=1$ and $\alpha>0$. Charged-particle jets are reconstructed at midrapidity using the anti-$k_\mathrm{T}$ algorithm with resolution parameter $R = 0.2$. A narrowing of the jet mass and angularity distributions in Pb-Pb collisions with respect to pp is observed and is enhanced for groomed results, confirming modification of the jet core. By using consistent jet definitions and kinematic cuts between the mass and angularities for the first time, previous inconsistencies in the interpretation of quenching measurements are resolved, rectifying a hurdle for understanding how jet quenching arises from first principles and highlighting the importance of a well-controlled baseline. These results are compared with a variety of theoretical models of jet quenching, providing constraints on jet energy-loss mechanisms in the quark--gluon plasma.

46 data tables

Jet angularity $\lambda_{\alpha}$ for $\alpha = 1$. $40<p_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{ch jet}}<60$. For the "trkeff" and "generator" systematic uncertainty sources, the signed systematic uncertainty breakdowns ($\pm$ vs. $\mp$), denote correlation across bins (both within this table, and across tables). For the remaining sources ("unfolding", "random_mass") no correlation information is specified ($\pm$ is always used).

Jet angularity $\lambda_{\alpha}$ for $\alpha = 1.5$. $40<p_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{ch jet}}<60$ GeV/$c$. For the "trkeff" and "generator" systematic uncertainty sources, the signed systematic uncertainty breakdowns ($\pm$ vs. $\mp$), denote correlation across bins (both within this table, and across tables). For the remaining sources ("unfolding", "random_mass") no correlation information is specified ($\pm$ is always used).

Jet angularity $\lambda_{\alpha}$ for $\alpha = 2$. $40<p_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{ch jet}}<60$ GeV/$c$. For the "trkeff" and "generator" systematic uncertainty sources, the signed systematic uncertainty breakdowns ($\pm$ vs. $\mp$), denote correlation across bins (both within this table, and across tables). For the remaining sources ("unfolding", "random_mass") no correlation information is specified ($\pm$ is always used).

More…