We present three-particle mixed-harmonic correlations $\la \cos (m\phi_a + n\phi_b - (m+n) \phi_c)\ra$ for harmonics $m,n=1-3$ for charged particles in $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=$200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. These measurements provide information on the three-dimensional structure of the initial collision zone and are important for constraining models of a subsequent low-viscosity quark-gluon plasma expansion phase. We investigate correlations between the first, second and third harmonics predicted as a consequence of fluctuations in the initial state. The dependence of the correlations on the pseudorapidity separation between particles show hints of a breaking of longitudinal invariance. We compare our results to a number of state-of-the art hydrodynamic calculations with different initial states and temperature dependent viscosities. These measurements provide important steps towards constraining the temperature dependent transport and the longitudinal structure of the initial state at RHIC.
Dependence of mixed harmonic correlators $C_{1,2,3}$ and $C_{2,2,4}$ on relative pseudorapidity.
Centrality dependence of mixed harmonic correlators $C_{m,n,m+n}$.
The extreme temperatures and energy densities generated by ultra-relativistic collisions between heavy nuclei produce a state of matter with surprising fluid properties. Non-central collisions have angular momentum on the order of 1000$\hbar$, and the resulting fluid may have a strong vortical structure that must be understood to properly describe the fluid. It is also of particular interest because the restoration of fundamental symmetries of quantum chromodynamics is expected to produce novel physical effects in the presence of strong vorticity. However, no experimental indications of fluid vorticity in heavy ion collisions have so far been found. Here we present the first measurement of an alignment between the angular momentum of a non-central collision and the spin of emitted particles, revealing that the fluid produced in heavy ion collisions is by far the most vortical system ever observed. We find that $\Lambda$ and $\overline{\Lambda}$ hyperons show a positive polarization of the order of a few percent, consistent with some hydrodynamic predictions. A previous measurement that reported a null result at higher collision energies is seen to be consistent with the trend of our new observations, though with larger statistical uncertainties. These data provide the first experimental access to the vortical structure of the "perfect fluid" created in a heavy ion collision. They should prove valuable in the development of hydrodynamic models that quantitatively connect observations to the theory of the Strong Force. Our results extend the recent discovery of hydrodynamic spin alignment to the subatomic realm.
Lambda and AntiLambda polarization as a function of collision energy. A 0.8% error on the alpha value used in the paper is corrected in this table. Systematic error bars include those associated with particle identification (negligible), uncertainty in the value of the hyperon decay parameter (2%) and reaction plane resolution (2%) and detector efficiency corrections (4%). The dominant systematic error comes from statistical fluctuations of the estimated combinatoric background under the (anti-)$\Lambda$ mass peak.
Lambda and AntiLambda polarization as a function of collision energy calculated using the new $\alpha_\Lambda=0.732$ updated on PDG2020. Systematic error bars include those associated with particle identification (negligible), uncertainty in the value of the hyperon decay parameter (2%) and reaction plane resolution (2%) and detector efficiency corrections (4%). The dominant systematic error comes from statistical fluctuations of the estimated combinatoric background under the (anti-)$\Lambda$ mass peak.
We present measurements of three-particle correlations for various harmonics in Au+Au collisions at energies ranging from $\sqrt{s_{{\rm NN}}}=7.7$ to 200 GeV using the STAR detector. The quantity $\langle\cos(m\phi_1+n\phi_2-(m+n)\phi_3)\rangle$ is evaluated as a function of $\sqrt{s_{{\rm NN}}}$, collision centrality, transverse momentum, $p_T$, pseudo-rapidity difference, $\Delta\eta$, and harmonics ($m$ and $n$). These data provide detailed information on global event properties like the three-dimensional structure of the initial overlap region, the expansion dynamics of the matter produced in the collisions, and the transport properties of the medium. A strong dependence on $\Delta\eta$ is observed for most harmonic combinations consistent with breaking of longitudinal boost invariance. Data reveal changes with energy in the two-particle correlation functions relative to the second-harmonic event-plane and provide ways to constrain models of heavy-ion collisions over a wide range of collision energies.
The centrality dependence of the C$_{m,n,m+n}$ correlations versus N$_{part}$ for charged hadrons with p$_{T}>0.2$ GeV/c and $\eta<1$ from 200 GeV Au+Au collisions.
The centrality dependence of the C$_{m,n,m+n}$ correlations versus N$_{part}$ for charged hadrons with p$_{T}>0.2$ GeV/c and $\eta<1$ from 62.4 GeV Au+Au collisions.
The centrality dependence of the C$_{m,n,m+n}$ correlations versus N$_{part}$ for charged hadrons with p$_{T}>0.2$ GeV/c and $\eta<1$ from 39 GeV Au+Au collisions.
We report the first measurement of the elliptic anisotropy ($v_2$) of the charm meson $D^0$ at mid-rapidity ($|y|$\,$<$\,1) in Au+Au collisions at \sNN = 200\,GeV. The measurement was conducted by the STAR experiment at RHIC utilizing a new high-resolution silicon tracker. The measured $D^0$ $v_2$ in 0--80\% centrality Au+Au collisions can be described by a viscous hydrodynamic calculation for transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) less than 4\,GeV/$c$. The $D^0$ $v_2$ as a function of transverse kinetic energy ($m_{\rm T} - m_0$, where $m_{\rm T} = \sqrt{p_{\rm T}^2 + m_0^2}$) is consistent with that of light mesons in 10--40\% centrality Au+Au collisions. These results suggest that charm quarks have achieved local thermal equilibrium with the medium created in such collisions. Several theoretical models, with the temperature--dependent, dimensionless charm spatial diffusion coefficient ($2{\pi}TD_s$) in the range of $\sim$2--12, are able to simultaneously reproduce our $D^0$ $v_2$ result and our previously published results for the $D^0$ nuclear modification factor.
Azimuthal anisotropy $v_2$ as a function of $p_{\rm T}$ for $D^0$ in 10%–40% centrality Au+Au collisions.
Azimuthal anisotropy $v_2$ as a function of $p_{\rm T}$ for $D^0$ in 0%–80% centrality Au+Au collisions.
We report the first measurement of the longitudinal double-spin asymmetry $A_{LL}$ for mid-rapidity di-jet production in polarized $pp$ collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s} = 200$ GeV. The di-jet cross section was measured and is shown to be consistent with next-to-leading order (NLO) perturbative QCD predictions. $A_{LL}$ results are presented for two distinct topologies, defined by the jet pseudorapidities, and are compared to predictions from several recent NLO global analyses. The measured asymmetries, the first such correlation measurements, support those analyses that find positive gluon polarization at the level of roughly 0.2 over the region of Bjorken-$x > 0.05$.
Data simulation comparison (with arbitrary normalization). Di-jet invariant mass.
Data simulation comparison (with arbitrary normalization). Difference between jet pseudorapidities.
Data simulation comparison (with arbitrary normalization). Difference between jet azimuthal angles.
We report the first di-jet transverse momentum asymmetry measurements from Au+Au and p+p collisions at RHIC. The two highest-energy back-to-back jets reconstructed from fragments with transverse momenta above 2 GeV/c display a significantly stronger momentum imbalance in heavy-ion collisions than in the p+p reference. When re-examined with correlated soft particles included, we observe that these di-jets then exhibit a unique new feature -- momentum balance is restored to that observed in p+p for a jet resolution parameter of R=0.4, while re-balancing is not attained with a smaller value of R=0.2.
Normalized AJ distributions for Au+Au HT data (filled symbols) and p+p HT $\oplus$ Au+Au MB (open symbols). The red circles points are for jets found using only constituents with $p^{Cut}_{T} > 2$ GeV/$c$ and the black squares for matched jets found using constituents with $p^{Cut}_{T} > 0.2$ GeV/$c$. In all cases $R = 0.4$.
$p_{T}^{Part}$ vs. $p_{T}^{Det}$ for Leading jets with $R = 0.4$.
$p_{T}^{Part}$ vs. $p_{T}^{Det}$ for Leading jets with $R = 0.2$.
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 present the first measurement of charge-dependent directed flow in Cu+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}$ = 200 GeV. The results are presented as a function of the particle transverse momentum and pseudorapidity for different centralities. A finite difference between the directed flow of positive and negative charged particles is observed that qualitatively agrees with the expectations from the effects of the initial strong electric field between two colliding ions with different nuclear charges. The measured difference in directed flow is much smaller than that obtained from the parton-hadron-string-dynamics (PHSD) model, which suggests that most of the electric charges, i.e. quarks and antiquarks, have not yet been created during the lifetime of the strong electric field, which is of the order of, or less than, 1fm/$c$.
$p_{\rm T}$ dependence of directed flow in centrality 10-20%.
$p_{\rm T}$ dependence of directed flow in centrality 20-30%.
$p_{\rm T}$ dependence of directed flow in centrality 30-40%.
The inclusive $J/\psi$ transverse momentum ($p_{T}$) spectra and nuclear modification factors are reported at midrapidity ($|y|<1.0$) in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=$ 39, 62.4 and 200 GeV taken by the STAR experiment. A suppression of $J/\psi$ production, with respect to {\color{black}the production in $p+p$ scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions}, is observed in central Au+Au collisions at these three energies. No significant energy dependence of nuclear modification factors is found within uncertainties. The measured nuclear modification factors can be described by model calculations that take into account both suppression of direct $J/\psi$ production due to the color screening effect and $J/\psi$ regeneration from recombination of uncorrelated charm-anticharm quark pairs.
J/psi invariant yields in Au+Au collisions = 39 GeV as a function of pT for different centralities.
J/psi invariant yields in Au+Au collisions = 62.4 GeV as a function of pT for different centralities.
J/psi invariant yields in Au+Au collisions = 200 GeV as a function of pT for different centralities.
We report the direct virtual photon invariant yields in the transverse momentum ranges $1\!<\!p_{T}\!<\!3$ GeV/$c$ and $5\!<\!p_T\!<\!10$ GeV/$c$ at mid-rapidity derived from the dielectron invariant mass continuum region $0.10<M_{ee}<0.28$ GeV/$c^{2}$ for 0-80\% minimum-bias Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV. A clear excess in the invariant yield compared to the number-of-binary-collisions ($N_{bin}$) scaled $p+p$ reference is observed in the $p_T$ range $1\!<\!p_{T}\!<\!3$ GeV/$c$. For $p_T\!>6$ GeV/$c$ the production follows $N_{bin}$ scaling. Model calculations with contributions from thermal radiation and initial hard parton scattering are consistent within uncertainties with the direct virtual photon invariant yield.
Dielectron invariant mass spectra in 1.0-1.5 GeV/c.
Dielectron invariant mass spectra in 1.5-2.0 GeV/c.
Dielectron invariant mass spectra in 2.0-2.5 GeV/c.
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