Photoproduction reactions occur when the electromagnetic field of a relativistic heavy ion interacts with another heavy ion. The STAR collaboration presents a measurement of rho^0 and direct pi^+pi^- photoproduction in ultra-peripheral relativistic heavy ion collisions at sqrt(s_{NN})=200 GeV. We observe both exclusive photoproduction and photoproduction accompanied by mutual Coulomb excitation. We find a coherent cross-section of sigma(AuAu) -> Au^*Au^*rho^0 = 530 pm 19 (stat.) pm 57 (syst.) mb, in accord with theoretical calculations based on a Glauber approach, but considerably below the predictions of a color dipole model. The rho^0 transverse momentum spectrum (p_{T}^2) is fit by a double exponential curve including both coherent and incoherent coupling to the target nucleus/ we find sigma_{inc}/sigma_{coh} = 0.29 pm 0.03 (stat.) pm 0.08 (syst.). The ratio of direct pi^+pi^- to rho^0 production is comparable to that observed in gamma p collisions at HERA, and appears to be independent of photon energy. Finally, the measured rho^0 spin helicity matrix elements agree within errors with the expected s-channel helicity conservation.
ZDC spectra obtained with the minimum bias sample after the $\rho^{0}$ selection cuts are applied, and fit with three Gaussians. The east ZDC is shown on the left and the west ZDC is shown on the right. The ratio of numbers of candidates in the West ZDC of 1n:2n:3n is 1: 0.48 $\pm$ 0.03: 0.42 $\pm$ 0.03, while in the East ZDC, we find 1n:2n:3n is 1: 0.46 $\pm$ 0.03: 0.42 $\pm$ 0.03.
ZDC spectra obtained with the minimum bias sample after the $\rho^{0}$ selection cuts are applied, and fit with three Gaussians. The east ZDC is shown on the left and the west ZDC is shown on the right. The ratio of numbers of candidates in the West ZDC of 1n:2n:3n is 1: 0.48 $\pm$ 0.03: 0.42 $\pm$ 0.03, while in the East ZDC, we find 1n:2n:3n is 1: 0.46 $\pm$ 0.03: 0.42 $\pm$ 0.03.
The invariant mass distribution for the coherently produced $\rho^{0}$ candidates from the minimum bias sample with the cut on the $\rho^{0}$ transverse momentum $p_{T}$ < 150 MeV/c. The hatched area is the contribution from the combinatorial background. The solid line corresponds to Eq. 3 which encompasses the Breit-Wigner (dashed), the mass independent contribution from the direct $\pi^{+}\pi^{-}$ production (dash-dotted), and the interference term(dotted).
We report results on rho(770)^0 -> pi+pi- production at midrapidity in p+p and peripheral Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV. This is the first direct measurement of rho(770)^0 -> pi+pi- in heavy-ion collisions. The measured rho^0 peak in the invariant mass distribution is shifted by ~40 MeV/c^2 in minimum bias p+p interactions and ~70 MeV/c^2 in peripheral Au+Au collisions. The rho^0 mass shift is dependent on transverse momentum and multiplicity. The modification of the rho^0 meson mass, width, and shape due to phase space and dynamical effects are discussed.
The raw $\pi^{+} \pi^{-}$ invariant mass distributions after subtraction of the like-sign reference distribution for minimum bias p+p (top) and peripheral Au+Au (bottom) interactions.
The raw $\pi^{+} \pi^{-}$ invariant mass (solid line) and the like-sign reference distributions (open circles) for peripheral Au+Au collisions.
The $\rho^{0}$ mass as a function of $p_{T}$ for minimum bias $p$+$p$ (filled circles), high multiplicity $p$+$p$ (open triangles), and peripheral Au+Au (filled squares) collisions. The error bars indicate the systematic uncertainty. Statistical errors are negligible. The $\rho^{0}$ mass was obtained by fitting the data to the BW×PS functional form described in the text. The dashed lines represent the average of the $\rho^{0}$ mass measured in $e^{+} e^{−}$. The shaded areas indicate the ρ0 mass measured in $p$+$p$ collisions. The open triangles have been shifted downward on the abscissa by $50$ MeV/$c$ for clarity.
We report on the first femtoscopic measurement of baryon pairs, such as p-p, p-$\Lambda$ and $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$, measured by ALICE at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV. This study demonstrates the feasibility of such measurements in pp collisions at ultrarelativistic energies. The femtoscopy method is employed to constrain the hyperon-nucleon and hyperon-hyperon interactions, which are still rather poorly understood. A new method to evaluate the influence of residual correlations induced by the decays of resonances and experimental impurities is hereby presented. The p-p, p-$\Lambda$ and $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ correlation functions were fitted simultaneously with the help of a new tool developed specifically for the femtoscopy analysis in small colliding systems 'Correlation Analysis Tool using the Schr\"odinger Equation' (CATS). Within the assumption that in pp collisions the three particle pairs originate from a common source, its radius is found to be equal to $r_{0} = 1.144\pm0.019$ (stat) $^{+0.069}_{-0.012}$ (syst) fm. The sensitivity of the measured p-$\Lambda$ correlation is tested against different scattering parameters which are defined by the interaction among the two particles, but the statistics is not sufficient yet to discriminate among different models. The measurement of the $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ correlation function constrains the phase space spanned by the effective range and scattering length of the strong interaction. Discrepancies between the measured scattering parameters and the resulting correlation functions at LHC and RHIC energies are discussed in the context of various models.
The p$-$p $\oplus$ $\overline{\mathrm{p}}-\overline{\mathrm{p}}$ correlation function.
The p$-\Lambda$ $\oplus$ $\overline{\mathrm{p}}-\overline{\Lambda}$ correlation function.
The $\Lambda-\Lambda$ $\oplus$ $\overline{\Lambda}-\overline{\Lambda}$ correlation function.
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
The W and Z boson production was measured via the muonic decay channel in proton-lead collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV at the Large Hadron Collider with the ALICE detector. The measurement covers backward ($-4.46 < y_{\rm cms} < -2.96$) and forward ($2.03 < y_{\rm cms} < 3.53$) rapidity regions, corresponding to Pb-going and p-going directions, respectively. The Z-boson production cross section, with dimuon invariant mass of $60<m_{\mu\mu}<120$ GeV/$c^2$ and muon transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}^\mu$) larger than 20 GeV/$c$, is measured. The production cross section and charge asymmetry of muons from W-boson decays with $p_{\rm T}^\mu>10$ GeV/$c$ are determined. The results are compared to theoretical calculations both with and without including the nuclear modification of the parton distribution functions. The W-boson production is also studied as a function of the collision centrality: the cross section of muons from W-boson decays is found to scale with the average number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions within uncertainties.
Z-boson production cross section in the dimuon decay channel at backward and forward rapidities measured in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic.
Cross section of $\mu^{+}$ from W$^{+}$ boson decay at backward and forward rapidities measured in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic.
Cross section of $\mu^{-}$ from W$^{-}$ boson decay at backward and forward rapidities measured in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic.
We present a measurement of the inclusive production of Upsilon mesons in U+U collisions at 193 GeV at mid-rapidity (|y| < 1). Previous studies in central Au+Au collisions at 200 GeV show a suppression of Upsilon(1S+2S+3S) production relative to expectations from the Upsilon yield in p+p collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions (Ncoll), with an indication that the Upsilon(1S) state is also suppressed. The present measurement extends the number of participant nucleons in the collision (Npart) by 20% compared to Au+Au collisions, and allows us to study a system with higher energy density. We observe a suppression in both the Upsilon(1S+2S+3S) and Upsilon(1S) yields in central U+U data, which consolidates and extends the previously observed suppression trend in Au+Au collisions.
(Color online) $\Upsilon$(1S+2S+3S) (a) and $\Upsilon$(1S) (b) $R_{AA}$ vs. $N_{part}$ in $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 193 GeV U+U collisions (solid circles), compared to 200 GeV RHIC Au+Au (solid squares [13] and hollow crosses [32]), and 2.76 TeV LHC Pb+Pb data (solid diamonds [33]). A 95% lower confidence bound is indicated for the 30-60% centrality U+U data (see text). Each point is plotted at the center of its bin. Centrality integrated (0-60%) U+U and Au+Au data are also shown as open circles and squares, respectively.
(Color online) $\Upsilon$(1S+2S+3S) (a) and $\Upsilon$(1S) (b) $R_{AA}$ vs. $N_{part}$ in $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 193 GeV U+U collisions (solid circles), compared to 200 GeV RHIC Au+Au (solid squares [13] and hollow crosses [32]), and 2.76 TeV LHC Pb+Pb data (solid diamonds [33]). A 95% lower confidence bound is indicated for the 30-60% centrality U+U data (see text). Each point is plotted at the center of its bin. Centrality integrated (0-60%) U+U and Au+Au data are also shown as open circles and squares, respectively.
(Color online) $\Upsilon$(1S+2S+3S) (a) and $\Upsilon$(1S) (b) $R_{AA}$ vs. $N_{part}$ in $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 193 GeV U+U collisions (solid circles), compared to different models [36–38], described in the text. The 95% lower confidence bound is indicated for the 30-60% centrality U+U data (see text). Each point is plotted at the center of its bin. Centrality integrated (0-60%) U+U and Au+Au data are also shown as open circles and squares, respectively.
We report on a measurement of the Upsilon(1S+2S+3S) -> e+e- cross section at midrapidity in p+p collisions at sqrt(s)=200 GeV. We find the cross section to be 114 +/- 38 (stat.) +23,-24 (syst.) pb. Perturbative QCD calculations at next-to-leading order in the Color Evaporation Model are in agreement with our measurement, while calculations in the Color Singlet Model underestimate it by 2 sigma. Our result is consistent with the trend seen in world data as a function of the center-of-mass energy of the collision and extends the availability of Upsilon data to RHIC energies. The dielectron continuum in the invariant mass range near the Upsilon is also studied to obtain a combined cross section of Drell-Yan plus (b b-bar) -> e+e-.
Unlike-sign pair invariant mass distribution with |y_ee| < 0.5.
Like-sign pair invariant mass distribution with |y_ee| < 0.5.
Background subtracted unlike-sign invariant mass distribution.
Particle production sensitive to non-factorizable and non-perturbative processes that contribute to the underlying event associated with a high transverse momentum ($p_{T}$) jet in proton+proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=200 GeV is studied with the STAR detector. Each event is divided into three regions based on the azimuthal angle with respect to the highest-$p_{T}$ jet direction: in the leading jet direction ("Toward"), opposite to the leading jet ("Away"), and perpendicular to the leading jet ("Transverse"). In the Transverse region, the average charged particle density is found to be between 0.4 and 0.6 and the mean transverse momentum, $\langle p_{T}\rangle$, between 0.5-0.7 GeV/$c$ for particles with $p_{T}$$>$0.2 GeV/$c$ at mid-pseudorapidity ($|\eta|$$<$1) and jet $p_{T}$$>$15 GeV/$c$. Both average particle density and $\langle p_{T}\rangle$ depend weakly on the leading jet $p_{T}$. Closer inspection of the Transverse region hints that contributions to the underlying event from initial- and final-state radiation are significantly smaller in these collisions than at the higher energies, up to 13 TeV, recorded at the LHC. Underlying event measurements associated with a high-$p_{T}$ jet will contribute to our understanding of QCD processes at hard and soft scales at RHIC energies, as well as provide constraints to modeling of underlying event dynamics.
Average charged particle multiplicity densities for Toward, Away, and Transverse regions as functions of the leading jet pT, with charged particle pT>0.2 GeV/c. The wide curves are PYTHIA 6 (STAR). The middle width curves are default PYTHIA 6 Perugia 2012 tune. The thin curves are PYTHIA 8 Monash 2013 tune. The solid curves are the Toward region. The sparse dashed curves are the Away region. The dense dashed curves are the Transverse region.
Transverse region average charged particle densities for pT>0.2 GeV/c (open symbols) and pT>0.5 GeV/c (filled symbols). Simulations are also shown as curves. The wide curves are PYTHIA 6 (STAR). The middle width curves are default PYTHIA 6 Perugia 2012 tune. The thin curves are PYTHIA 8 Monash 2013 tune.
Charged particle <pT> for Toward, Away, and Transverse regions as functions of the leading jet pT, with charged particle pT>0.2 GeV/c. Simulations are also shown as curves. The wide curves are PYTHIA 6 (STAR). The middle width curves are default PYTHIA 6 Perugia 2012 tune. The thin curves are PYTHIA 8 Monash 2013 tune. Note the three curves overlap for the Transverse region calculations.
This article reports measurements characterizing the Underlying Event (UE) associated with hard scatterings at midrapidity in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV. The hard scatterings are identified by the leading particle, the charged particle with the highest transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}^{\rm leading}$) in the event. Charged-particle number and summed transverse-momentum densities are measured in different azimuthal regions defined with respect to the leading particle direction: Toward, Transverse, and Away. The Toward and Away regions contain the fragmentation products of the hard scatterings in addition to the UE contribution, whereas particles in the Transverse region are expected to originate predominantly from the UE. The study is performed as a function of $p_{\rm T}^{\rm leading}$ with three different $p_{\rm T}$ thresholds for the associated particles, $p_{\rm T}^{\rm min} >$ 0.15, 0.5, and 1.0 GeV/$c$. The charged-particle density in the Transverse region rises steeply for low values of $p_{\rm T}^{\rm leading}$ and reaches a plateau. The results confirm the trend that the charged-particle density in the Transverse region shows a stronger increase with $\sqrt{s}$ than the inclusive charged-particle density at midrapidity. The UE activity is increased by approximately 20% when going from 7 to 13 TeV. The plateau in the Transverse region ($5 < p_{\rm T}^{\rm leading} < ~ 40$ GeV/$c$ ) is further characterized by the probability distribution of its charged-particle multiplicity normalized to its average value (relative transverse activity, $R_{T}$) and the mean transverse momentum as a function of $R_{T}$. Experimental results are compared to model calculations using PYTHIA 8 and EPOS LHC. The overall agreement between models and data is within 30%. These measurements provide new insights on the interplay between hard scatterings and the associated UE in pp collisions.
Fig. 3: Number density $N_{ch}$ (left) and $\\Sigma p_{T}$ (right) distributions as a function of $p_{T}^{leading}$ in Toward, Transverse, and Away regions for $p_{T}^{track} >$ 0.15 GeV/$c$. The shaded areas represent the systematic uncertainties and vertical error bars indicate statistical uncertainties.
Fig. 9: R_T probability distribution in the Transverse region for $p_{T}^{track} >$ 0.15 GeV/$c$ and $|\\eta|<$ 0.8. The result (solid circles) is compared to the PYTHIA 8 and EPOS LHC calculations (lines). The red line represents the result of the NBD fit, where the multiplicity is scaled by its mean value, m. The parameter k is related to the standard deviation of the distribution via $\\sigma$ = $\\sqrt{ \\frac{1}{m} + \\frac{1}{k} }$. The open boxes represent the systematic uncertainties and vertical error bars indicate statistical uncertainties. No uncertainties are shown for the MC calculations. The bottom panel shows the ratio between the NBD fit, as well as those of the MC to the data.
Fig. 10: $<p_{T}>$ in the Transverse region as a function of $R_{T}$ for $p_{T}^{track} >$ 0.15 GeV/$c$ and $|\\eta|<$ 0.8. Data (solid circles) are compared to the results of PYTHIA 8 and EPOS LHC calculations (lines). The open boxes represent the systematic uncertainties and vertical error bars indicate statistical uncertainties. No uncertainties are shown for the MC calculations. The bottom panel shows the ratio of the MC to data.
We present measurements of Underlying Event observables in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 0.9 and 7 TeV. The analysis is performed as a function of the highest charged-particle transverse momentum $p_{\rm T, LT}$ in the event. Different regions are defined with respect to the azimuthal direction of the leading (highest transverse momentum) track: Toward, Transverse and Away. The Toward and Away regions collect the fragmentation products of the hardest partonic interaction. The Transverse region is expected to be most sensitive to the Underlying Event activity. The study is performed with charged particles above three different $p_{\rm T}$ thresholds: 0.15, 0.5 and 1.0 GeV/$c$. In the Transverse region we observe an increase in the multiplicity of a factor 2-3 between the lower and higher collision energies, depending on the track $p){\rm T}$ threshold considered. Data are compared to Pythia 6.4, Pythia 8.1 and Phojet. On average, all models considered underestimate the multiplicity and summed $p_{\rm T}$ in the Transverse region by about 10-30%.
Number density as a function of the leading charged-particle PT at a centre-mass-energy of 900 GeV for events having charged-particle PT > 0.15 GeV. The data is shown for the three azimuthal regions.
Number density as a function of the leading charged-particle PT at a centre-mass-energy of 7000 GeV for events having charged-particle PT > 0.15 GeV. The data is shown for the three azimuthal regions.
Number density as a function of the leading charged-particle PT at a centre-mass-energy of 900 GeV for events having charged-particle PT > 0.5 GeV. The data is shown for the three azimuthal regions.
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