At sufficiently high temperature and energy density, nuclear matter undergoes a transition to a phase in which quarks and gluons are not confined: the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) [1]. Such an extreme state of strongly-interacting QCD (Quantum Chromo-Dynamics) matter is produced in the laboratory with high-energy collisions of heavy nuclei, where an enhanced production of strange hadrons is observed [2-6]. Strangeness enhancement, originally proposed as a signature of QGP formation in nuclear collisions [7], is more pronounced for multi-strange baryons. Several effects typical of heavy-ion phenomenology have been observed in high-multiplicity proton-proton (pp) collisions [8,9]. Yet, enhanced production of multi-strange particles has not been reported so far. Here we present the first observation of strangeness enhancement in high-multiplicity pp collisions. We find that the integrated yields of strange and multi-strange particles relative to pions increases significantly with the event charged-particle multiplicity. The measurements are in remarkable agreement with p-Pb collision results [10,11] indicating that the phenomenon is related to the final system created in the collision. In high-multiplicity events strangeness production reaches values similar to those observed in Pb-Pb collisions, where a QGP is formed.
$K^{0}_{S}$ transverse momentum spectrum: V0M Class I (pp at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV).
$K^{0}_{S}$ transverse momentum spectrum: V0M Class II (pp at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV).
$K^{0}_{S}$ transverse momentum spectrum: V0M Class III (pp at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV).
The production of charged pions, kaons and (anti)protons has been measured at mid-rapidity ($-0.5 y 0$) in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV using the ALICE detector at the LHC. Exploiting particle identification capabilities at high transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$), the previously published $p_{\rm T}$ spectra have been extended to include measurements up to 20 GeV/$c$ for seven event multiplicity classes. The $p_{\rm T}$ spectra for pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV, needed to interpolate a pp reference spectrum, have also been extended up to 20 GeV/$c$ to measure the nuclear modification factor ($R_{\rm pPb}$) in non-single diffractive p-Pb collisions. At intermediate transverse momentum ($2 p_{\rm T} 10$\,GeV/$c$) the proton-to-pion ratio increases with multiplicity in p-Pb collisions, a similar effect is not present in the kaon-to-pion ratio. The $p_{\rm T}$ dependent structure of such increase is qualitatively similar to those observed in pp and heavy-ion collisions. At high $p_{\rm T}$ ($>10$ GeV/$c$), the particle ratios are consistent with those reported for pp and Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC energies. At intermediate $p_{\rm T}$ the (anti)proton $R_{\rm pPb}$ shows a Cronin-like enhancement, while pions and kaons show little or no nuclear modification. At high $p_{\rm T}$ the charged pion, kaon and (anti)proton $R_{\rm pPb}$ are consistent with unity within statistical and systematic uncertainties.
pT-differential invariant yield of charged pions in p-Pb collisions with centre-of-mass energy/nucleon=5.02 TeV, measured for different V0A multiplicity classes. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one is the total systematic uncertainty, while the third one is the uncorrelated systematic uncertainty which is multiplicity dependent.
pT-differential invariant yield of charged pions in p-Pb collisions with centre-of-mass energy/nucleon=5.02 TeV, measured for NSD events. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one is the total systematic uncertainty, while the third one is the uncorrelated systematic uncertainty which is multiplicity dependent.
pT-differential invariant yield of charged kaons in p-Pb collisions with centre-of-mass energy/nucleon=5.02 TeV, measured for different V0A multiplicity classes. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one is the total systematic uncertainty, while the third one is the uncorrelated systematic uncertainty which is multiplicity dependent.
The multi-strange baryon yields in Pb--Pb collisions have been shown to exhibit an enhancement relative to pp reactions. In this work, $\Xi$ and $\Omega$ production rates have been measured with the ALICE experiment as a function of transverse momentum, ${p_{\rm T}}$, in p-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of ${\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV. The results cover the kinematic ranges 0.6 GeV/$c<{p_{\rm T}} <$7.2 GeV/$c$ and 0.8 GeV/$c<{p_{\rm T}}<$ 5 GeV/$c$, for $\Xi$ and $\Omega$ respectively, in the common rapidity interval -0.5 $<{y_{\rm CMS}}<$ 0. Multi-strange baryons have been identified by reconstructing their weak decays into charged particles. The ${p_{\rm T}}$ spectra are analysed as a function of event charged-particle multiplicity, which in p-Pb collisions ranges over one order of magnitude and lies between those observed in pp and Pb-Pb collisions. The measured ${p_{\rm T}}$ distributions are compared to the expectations from a Blast-Wave model. The parameters which describe the production of lighter hadron species also describe the hyperon spectra in high multiplicity p-Pb. The yield of hyperons relative to charged pions is studied and compared with results from pp and Pb-Pb collisions. A statistical model is employed, which describes the change in the ratios with volume using a canonical suppression mechanism, in which the small volume causes a species-dependent relative reduction of hadron production. The calculations, in which the magnitude of the effect depends on the strangeness content, show good qualitative agreement with the data.
Xi pt spectrum in 0-5% multiplicity class.
Xi pt spectrum in 5-10% multiplicity class.
Xi pt spectrum in 10-20% multiplicity class.
Direct photon production at mid-rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{\mathrm{NN}}}} = 2.76$ TeV was studied in the transverse momentum range $0.9 < p_\mathrm{T} < 14$ GeV$/c$. Photons were detected with the highly segmented electromagnetic calorimeter PHOS and via conversions in the ALICE detector material with the $e^+e^-$ pair reconstructed in the central tracking system. The results of the two methods were combined and direct photon spectra were measured for the 0-20%, 20-40%, and 40-80% centrality classes. For all three classes, agreement was found with perturbative QCD calculations for $p_\mathrm{T} \gtrsim 5$ GeV$/c$. Direct photon spectra down to $p_\mathrm{T} \approx 1$ GeV$/c$ could be extracted for the 20-40% and 0-20% centrality classes. The significance of the direct photon signal for $0.9 < p_\mathrm{T} < 2.1$ GeV$/c$ is $2.6\sigma$ for the 0-20% class. The spectrum in this $p_\mathrm{T}$ range and centrality class can be described by an exponential with an inverse slope parameter of $(297 \pm 12^\mathrm{stat}\pm 41^\mathrm{syst})$ MeV. State-of-the-art models for photon production in heavy-ion collisions agree with the data within uncertainties.
Invariant differential yields of direct GAMMA produced in 0-20% central inelastic PbPb collisions at center-of-mass energy per nucleon 2.76 TeV.
Invariant differential yields of direct GAMMA produced in 20-40% central inelastic PbPb collisions at center-of-mass energy per nucleon 2.76 TeV. The quoted upper limits correspond to a 95% confidence level.
Invariant differential yields of direct GAMMA produced in 40-80% central inelastic PbPb collisions at center-of-mass energy per nucleon 2.76 TeV. The quoted upper limits correspond to a 95% confidence level.
The production of J/$\psi$ and $\psi(2S)$ was measured with the ALICE detector in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC. The measurement was performed at forward rapidity ($2.5 < y < 4 $) down to zero transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) in the dimuon decay channel. Inclusive J/$\psi$ yields were extracted in different centrality classes and the centrality dependence of the average $p_{\rm T}$ is presented. The J/$\psi$ suppression, quantified with the nuclear modification factor ($R_{\rm AA}$), was studied as a function of centrality, transverse momentum and rapidity. Comparisons with similar measurements at lower collision energy and theoretical models indicate that the J/$\psi$ production is the result of an interplay between color screening and recombination mechanisms in a deconfined partonic medium, or at its hadronization. Results on the $\psi(2S)$ suppression are provided via the ratio of $\psi(2S)$ over J/$\psi$ measured in pp and Pb-Pb collisions.
Values of $\langle p_{\rm T}\rangle$ and $\langle p^2_{\rm T}\rangle$ of inclusive J/$\psi$ measured in $0<p_{\rm T}<8$ GeV/$c$ and $2.5<y<4$. Statistical and systematic uncertainties are also reported.
Inclusive J/$\psi$ yields in $p_{\rm T}$ intervals for the 0-20%, 20-40% and 40-90% most central Pb-Pb collisions. The rapidity range is $2.5<y<4$. Statistical and systematic uncertainties are also reported. A global systematic uncertainty of 4% affects all the values. A 2%, 1% and 2% systematic uncertainty, independent of $p_{\rm T}$, affects the centrality classes 0-20%, 20-40% and 40-90%, respectively.
Inclusive J/$\psi$ $R_{\rm AA}$ and Pb-Pb yields as a function of centrality, $p_{\rm T}<8$ GeV/$c$ and $2.5<y<4.0$. Statistical and systematic uncertainties are also reported. A global systematic uncertainty of 15% (12%) affects all the $R_{\rm AA}$ (yields) values.
The production of the hypertriton nuclei $^{3}_{\Lambda}\mathrm H$ and $^{3}_{\bar{\Lambda}} \overline{\mathrm H}$ has been measured for the first time in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV with the ALICE experiment at LHC energies. The total yield, d$N$/d$y$ $\times \mathrm{B.R.}_{\left( ^{3}_{\Lambda}\mathrm H \rightarrow ^{3}\mathrm{He},\pi^{-} \right)} = \left( 3.86 \pm 0.77 (\mathrm{stat.}) \pm 0.68 (\mathrm{syst.})\right) \times 10^{-5}$ in the 0-10% most central collisions, is consistent with the predictions from a statistical thermal model using the same temperature as for the light hadrons. The coalescence parameter $B_3$ shows a dependence on the transverse momentum, similar to the $B_2$ of deuterons and the $B_3$ of $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ nuclei. The ratio of yields $S_3$ = $^{3}_{\Lambda}\mathrm H$/($^{3}\mathrm{He}$ $\times \Lambda/\mathrm{p}$) was measured to be $S_3$ = 0.60 $\pm$ 0.13 (stat.) $\pm$ 0.21 (syst.) in 0-10% centrality events; this value is compared to different theoretical models. The measured $S_3$ is fully compatible with thermal model predictions. The measured $^{3}_{\Lambda}\mathrm H$ lifetime, $ \tau = 181^{+54}_{-39} (\mathrm{stat.}) \pm 33 (\mathrm{syst.})\ \mathrm{ps}$ is compatible within 1$\sigma$ with the world average value.
(Hypertriton + Anti-Hypertriton)dN/d(ct) distribution.
Hypertriton and Anti-hypertriton $p_{\rm T}$ spectra x B.R.
$B_2$ as a function of $p_{\rm T}$/A for Hypertriton.
All of the experimental data points presented in the original paper are correct and unchanged (including statistical and systematic uncertainties). However, herein we correct a comparison between the experimental data and a theoretical picture, because we discovered a mistake in the code used. All of the most probable sigma_breakup values differ by less than 0.4 mb from those originally presented. However, the one standard deviation uncertainties (that include contributions from both the statistical and systematic uncertainties on the experimental data points) are approximately 30-60% larger than originally reported. We give a table of the new comparison results and corrected versions of Figs. 8-11 of the original paper and we note that no correction is needed for results from the data-driven method in Fig. 13.
J/PSI invariant (1/(2PI*PT))*D2(N)/DPT/DYRAP versus rapidity in D+AU collisions, over 3 bins of rapidity.
J/PSI invariant (1/(2PI*PT))*D2(N)/DPT/DYRAP versus rapidity in D+AU collisions, over 5 bins of rapidity.
J/PSI invariant (1/(2PI*PT))*D2(N)/DPT/DYRAP versus PT at backward rapidity (-2.2<y<-1.2) in D+AU collisions.
The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) has measured electrons from heavy flavor (charm and bottom) decays for 0.3 < p_T < 9 GeV/c at midrapidity (|y| < 0.35) in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV. The nuclear modification factor R_AA relative to p+p collisions shows a strong suppression in central Au+Au collisions, indicating substantial energy loss of heavy quarks in the medium produced at RHIC. A large azimuthal anisotropy, v_2, with respect to the reaction plane is observed for 0.5 < p_T < 5 GeV/c indicating non-zero heavy flavor elliptic flow. Both R_AA and v_2 show a p_T dependence different from those of neutral pions. A comparison to transport models which simultaneously describe R_AA(p_T) and v_2(p_T) suggests that the viscosity to entropy density ratio is close to the conjectured quantum lower bound, i.e., near a perfect fluid.
Invariant yield of electrons from heavy-flavor decays for 0-10% central collisions, versus PT.
Invariant yield of electrons from heavy-flavor decays for 10-20% central collisions, versus PT.
Invariant yield of electrons from heavy-flavor decays for 20-40% central collisions, versus PT.
Identified pi^[+/-] K^[+/-], p and p-bar transverse momentum spectra at mid-rapidity in sqrt(s_NN)=130 GeV Au-Au collisions were measured by the PHENIX experiment at RHIC as a function of collision centrality. Average transverse momenta increase with the number of participating nucleons in a similar way for all particle species. The multiplicity densities scale faster than the number of participating nucleons. Kaon and nucleon yields per participant increase faster than the pion yields. In central collisions at high transverse momenta (p_T greater than 2 GeV/c), anti-proton and proton yields are comparable to the pion yields.
Transverse momentum spectra for PI+ in the midrapidity range for the centrality region 0 to 5 PCT. Errors are combined statistical and systematics.
Transverse momentum spectra for PI- in the midrapidity range for the centrality region 0 to 5 PCT. Errors are combined statistical and systematics.
Transverse momentum spectra for K+ in the midrapidity range for the centrality region 0 to 5 PCT. Errors are combined statistical and systematics.
Forum