We present measurements from the PHENIX experiment of large parity-violating single spin asymmetries of high transverse momentum electrons and positrons from $W^\pm/Z$ decays, produced in longitudinally polarized $p$$+$$p$ collisions at center of mass energies of $\sqrt{s}$=500 and 510~GeV. These asymmetries allow direct access to the anti-quark polarized parton distribution functions due to the parity-violating nature of the $W$-boson coupling to quarks and anti-quarks. The results presented are based on data collected in 2011, 2012, and 2013 with an integrated luminosity of 240 pb$^{-1}$, which exceeds previous PHENIX published results by a factor of more than 27. These high $Q^2$ data provide an important addition to our understanding of anti-quark parton helicity distribution functions.
Longitudinal single-spin asymmetries, $A_L$, for the 2011 and 2012 data sets (combined) spanning the entire $\eta$ range of PHENIX ($\left|\eta\right|<0.35$), for the 2013 data set separated into two $\eta$ bins, and for the combined 2011-2013 data sets.
We present the midrapidity charged pion invariant cross sections and the ratio of $\pi^-$-to-$\pi^+$ production ($5<p_T<13$ GeV/$c$), together with the double-helicity asymmetries ($5<p_T<12$ GeV/$c$) in polarized $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 200$ GeV. The cross section measurements are consistent with perturbative calculations in quantum chromodynamics within large uncertainties in the calculation due to the choice of factorization, renormalization, and fragmentation scales. However, the theoretical calculation of the ratio of $\pi^-$-to-$\pi^+$ production when considering these scale uncertainties overestimates the measured value, suggesting further investigation of the uncertainties on the charge-separated pion fragmentation functions is needed. Due to cancellations of uncertainties in the charge ratio, direct inclusion of these ratio data in future parameterizations should improve constraints on the flavor dependence of quark fragmentation functions to pions. By measuring charge-separated pion asymmetries, one can gain sensitivity to the sign of $\Delta G$ through the opposite sign of the up and down quark helicity distributions in conjunction with preferential fragmentation of positive pions from up quarks and negative pions from down quarks. The double-helicity asymmetries presented are sensitive to the gluon helicity distribution over an $x$ range of $\sim$0.03--0.16.
Invariant cross section for $\pi^+$ and $\pi^-$ hadrons, as well as the statistical and systematic uncertainties. In addition, there is an absolute scale uncertainty of 9.6$\%$.
Double-helicity asymmetries and statistical uncertainties for $\pi^+$ and $\pi^-$ hadrons. The primary systematic uncertainties, which are fully correlated between points, are $1.4\times10^{-3}$ from relative luminosity and a $^{+7.0\%}_{-7.7\%}$ scaling uncertainty from beam polarization.
Ratio of charged pion cross section, as shown in Fig.6.
We present a measurement of the cross section and transverse single-spin asymmetry ($A_N$) for $\eta$ mesons at large pseudorapidity from $\sqrt{s}=200$~GeV $p^{\uparrow}+p$ collisions. The measured cross section for $0.5<p_T<5.0$~GeV/$c$ and $3.0<|\eta|<3.8$ is well described by a next-to-leading-order perturbative-quantum-chromodynamics calculation. The asymmetries $A_N$ have been measured as a function of Feynman-$x$ ($x_F$) from $0.2<|x_{F}|<0.7$, as well as transverse momentum ($p_T$) from $1.0<p_T<4.5$~GeV/$c$. The asymmetry averaged over positive $x_F$ is $\langle{A_{N}}\rangle=0.061{\pm}0.014$. The results are consistent with prior transverse single-spin measurements of forward $\eta$ and $\pi^{0}$ mesons at various energies in overlapping $x_F$ ranges. Comparison of different particle species can help to determine the origin of the large observed asymmetries in $p^{\uparrow}+p$ collisions.
The measured ETA meson cross section, E*D3(SIG)/DP**3, versus PT at forward rapidity. The statistical and systematic uncertainties are type-A and type-B uncertainties respectively.
ASYM(PEAK) and ASYM(BG) for ETA mesons measured as a function of XF in the range 0.3 < ABS(XF) < 0.7 from the 4X4B triggered dataset. The values represented are the weighted mean of the South and North MPC (Muon Piston Calorimeter). The uncertainties listed are statistical only.
ASYM for ETA mesons measured as a function of XF in the range 0.2 < ABS(XF) < 0.7. Uncertainties listed are those due to the statistics, the XF uncorrelated uncertainties due to extracting the yields, and the correlated relative luminosity uncertainty.
The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has measured low mass vector meson, $\omega$, $\rho$, and $\phi$, production through the dimuon decay channel at forward rapidity ($1.2<|y|<2.2$) in $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=200$ GeV. The differential cross sections for these mesons are measured as a function of both $p_T$ and rapidity. We also report the integrated differential cross sections over $1<p_T<7$ GeV/$c$ and $1.2<|y|<2.2$: $d\sigma/dy(\omega+\rho\rightarrow\mu\mu) = 80 \pm 6 \mbox{(stat)} \pm 12 \mbox{(syst)}$ nb and $d\sigma/dy(\phi\rightarrow\mu\mu) = 27 \pm 3 \mbox{(stat)} \pm 4 \mbox{(syst)}$ nb. These results are compared with midrapidity measurements and calculations.
Differential cross sections of (OMEGA + RHO) and PHI as functions of PT. The statistical uncertainty includes the type-A systematic uncertainty. The systematic uncertainty is the type-B systematic uncertainty.
Differential cross sections of (OMEGA + RHO) and PHI as functions of rapidity. The statistical uncertainty includes the type-A systematic uncertainty. The systematic uncertainty is the type-B systematic uncertainty.
N(PHI) / ( N(OMEGA) + N(RHO) ) as a function of PT. The statistical uncertainty includes the type-A systematic uncertainty. The systematic uncertainty is the type-B systematic uncertainty.
Results are presented from data recorded in 2009 by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider for the double-longitudinal spin asymmetry, $A_{LL}$, for $\pi^0$ and $\eta$ production in $\sqrt{s} = 200$ GeV polarized $p$$+$$p$ collisions. Comparison of the $\pi^0$ results with different theory expectations based on fits of other published data showed a preference for small positive values of gluon polarization, $\Delta G$, in the proton in the probed Bjorken $x$ range. The effect of adding the new 2009 \pz data to a recent global analysis of polarized scattering data is also shown, resulting in a best fit value $\Delta G^{[0.05,0.2]}_{\mbox{DSSV}} = 0.06^{+0.11}_{-0.15}$ in the range $0.05<x<0.2$, with the uncertainty at $\Delta \chi^2 = 9$ when considering only statistical experimental uncertainties. Shifting the PHENIX data points by their systematic uncertainty leads to a variation of the best-fit value of $\Delta G^{[0.05,0.2]}_{\mbox{DSSV}}$ between $0.02$ and $0.12$, demonstrating the need for full treatment of the experimental systematic uncertainties in future global analyses.
PI0 ASYM(LL) measurements from 2005.
PI0 ASYM(LL) measurements from 2006.
PI0 ASYM(LL) measurements from 2009.
Transverse momentum distributions and yields for $\pi^{\pm}$, $K^{\pm}$, $p$ and $\bar{p}$ in $p+p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=200 and 62.4 GeV at midrapidity are measured by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). These data provide important baseline spectra for comparisons with identified particle spectra in heavy ion collisions at RHIC. We present the inverse slope parameter $T_{\rm inv}$, mean transverse momentum $<p_T>$ and yield per unit rapidity $dN/dy$ at each energy, and compare them to other measurements at different $\sqrt{s}$ in $p+p$ and $p+\bar{p}$ collisions. We also present the scaling properties such as $m_T$ scaling, $x_T$ scaling on the $p_T$ spectra between different energies. To discuss the mechanism of the particle production in $p+p$ collisions, the measured spectra are compared to next-to-leading-order or next-to-leading-logarithmic perturbative quantum chromodynamics calculations.
Invariant cross sections for inclusive PI+ and PI- production in P P collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 200 GeV. There is an additional normalization uncertainty of 9.7 PCT.
Invariant cross sections for inclusive K+ and K- production in P P collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 200 GeV. There is an additional normalization uncertainty of 9.7 PCT.
Invariant cross sections for inclusive P and PBAR production in P P collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 200 GeV with feed-down weak decay corrections NOT applied. There is an additional normalization uncertainty of 9.7 PCT.
The momentum distribution of electrons from semi-leptonic decays of charm and bottom for mid-rapidity |y|<0.35 in p+p collisions at sqrt(s)=200 GeV is measured by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) over the transverse momentum range 2 < p_T < 7 GeV/c. The ratio of the yield of electrons from bottom to that from charm is presented. The ratio is determined using partial D/D^bar --> e^{+/-} K^{-/+} X (K unidentified) reconstruction. It is found that the yield of electrons from bottom becomes significant above 4 GeV/c in p_T. A fixed-order-plus-next-to-leading-log (FONLL) perturbative quantum chromodynamics (pQCD) calculation agrees with the data within the theoretical and experimental uncertainties. The extracted total bottom production cross section at this energy is \sigma_{b\b^bar}= 3.2 ^{+1.2}_{-1.1}(stat) ^{+1.4}_{-1.3}(syst) micro b.
Bottom contribution to the electrons from heavy flavor decay as a function of PT. These values has been obtained using g3data software which to extract the data from the plot and should therefore be used with caution. The g3data program indicates an extra uncertainty of 0.01 on these values.
Differential bottom production cross section at mid rapidity (y=0) To obtain this value, the differential "bottom-decay" electrons cross-section has been extrapolated to PT=0 using the spectrum shape predicted by pQCD. The b->e branching ratio used was 10 +-1%.
Invariant cross section of electrons from heavy flavor decay versus PT These values has been obtained using g3data software which to extract the data from the plot and should therefore be used with caution. The values in the last column indicate the level of uncertainty intoduced by g3data.
The PHENIX experiement has measured the electron-positron pair mass spectrum from 0 to 8 GeV/c^2 in p+p collisions at sqrt(s)=200 GeV. The contributions from light meson decays to e^+e^- pairs have been determined based on measurements of hadron production cross sections by PHENIX. They account for nearly all e^+e^- pairs in the mass region below 1 GeV/c^2. The e^+e^- pair yield remaining after subtracting these contributions is dominated by semileptonic decays of charmed hadrons correlated through flavor conservation. Using the spectral shape predicted by PYTHIA, we estimate the charm production cross section to be 544 +/- 39(stat) +/- 142(syst) +/- 200(model) \mu b, which is consistent with QCD calculations and measurements of single leptons by PHENIX.
Differential charm cross section at mid rapidity An additional +-39.5 microbarn error, due to the validity of the model used to extrapolate the data, is not included The contribution from beauty estimated to be 3.7 microbarn, has been subtracted. The c->e branching ratio used was 9.5 +-1.0%.
Total charm cross section An additional systemactic error of +- 200 microbarn, due to the validity of the model used to extrapolate the data, is not included. To obtain the total charm cross section, the differential charm cross section has been extrapolated to the whole rapidity range, using a HVQMNR rapidity distribution with aCTEQ5M PDF.
J/Psi production in p+p collisions at sqrt(s) = 200 GeV has been Measured in the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) over a rapidity range of -2.2 < y < 2.2 and a transverse momentum range of 0 < pT < 9 GeV/c. The statistics available allow a detailed measurement of both the pT and rapidity distributions and are sufficient to constrain production models. The total cross section times branching ratio determined for J/Psi production is B_{ll} sigma_pp^J/psi = 178 +/- 3(stat) +/- 53(syst) +/- 18(norm) nb.
J/PSI differential cross section, times dilepton branching ratio, versus transverse momentum PT, at mid rapidity : -0.35<y<0.35.
J/PSI differential cross section, times dilepton branching ratio, versus transverse momentum PT, at forward rapidities : absolute value of y belongs to [1.2;2.2].
Mean PT^2 value at mid rapidities : -0.35<y<0.35 The mean PT is obtained with a phenomonological fit of the J/PSI distribution in PT of the form (1/(2*PI*PT))*D(SIG)/DPT = A ( 1+(PT/B)^2)^-6 .The systematic error includes the incertainty from the maximum shape deviation permitted by the point-to-point correlated errors and from allowing the exponent of the fit fonctionto be a free parameter.
Muon production at forward rapidity (1.5 < |\eta| < 1.8) has been measured by the PHENIX experiment over the transverse momentum range 1 < p_T \le 3 GeV/c in sqrt(s) = 200 GeV p+p collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. After statistically subtracting contributions from light hadron decays an excess remains which is attributed to the semileptonic decays of hadrons carrying heavy flavor, i.e. charm quarks or, at high p_T, bottom quarks. The resulting muon spectrum from heavy flavor decays is compared to PYTHIA and a next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculation. PYTHIA is used to determine the charm quark spectrum that would produce the observed muon excess. The corresponding differential cross section for charm quark production at forward rapidity is determined to be d\sigmac c^bar)/dy|_(y=1.6)=0.243 +/- 0.013 (stat.) +/- 0.105 (data syst.) ^(+0.049(-0.087) (PYTHIA syst.) mb.
Differential charm cross section at forward rapidity of 1.6 An additional +0.049 -0.087 systematic uncertainty associated with the PYTHIA normalization is not included in the values given.
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