Date

Shining Light on the Dark Sector: Search for Axion-like Particles and Other New Physics in Photonic Final States with FASER

The FASER collaboration Mammen Abraham, Roshan ; Ai, Xiaocong ; Anders, John ; et al.
JHEP 01 (2025) 199, 2025.
Inspire Record 2839642 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.156823

The first FASER search for a light, long-lived particle decaying into a pair of photons is reported. The search uses LHC proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}=13.6~\text{TeV}$ collected in 2022 and 2023, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $57.7\text{fb}^{-1}$. A model with axion-like particles (ALPs) dominantly coupled to weak gauge bosons is the primary target. Signal events are characterised by high-energy deposits in the electromagnetic calorimeter and no signal in the veto scintillators. One event is observed, compared to a background expectation of $0.44 \pm 0.39$ events, which is entirely dominated by neutrino interactions. World-leading constraints on ALPs are obtained for masses up to $300~\text{MeV}$ and couplings to the Standard Model W gauge boson, $g_{aWW}$, around $10^{-4}$ GeV$^{-1}$, testing a previously unexplored region of parameter space. Other new particle models that lead to the same experimental signature, including ALPs coupled to gluons or photons, U(1)$_B$ gauge bosons, up-philic scalars, and a Type-I two-Higgs doublet model, are also considered for interpretation, and new constraints on previously viable parameter space are presented in this paper.

7 data tables match query

90% CL observed contour for ALP-W model

90% CL observed contour for ALP-gluon model

90% CL observed contour for ALP-photon model

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First Measurement of the Muon Neutrino Interaction Cross Section and Flux as a Function of Energy at the LHC with FASER

The FASER collaboration Mammen Abraham, Roshan ; Ai, Xiaocong ; Anders, John ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Lett. 134 (2025) 211801, 2025.
Inspire Record 2855783 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.156838

This letter presents the measurement of the energy-dependent neutrino-nucleon cross section in tungsten and the differential flux of muon neutrinos and anti-neutrinos. The analysis is performed using proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of $13.6 \, {\rm TeV}$ and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $(65.6 \pm 1.4) \, \mathrm{fb^{-1}}$. Using the active electronic components of the FASER detector, $338.1 \pm 21.0$ charged current muon neutrino interaction events are identified, with backgrounds from other processes subtracted. We unfold the neutrino events into a fiducial volume corresponding to the sensitive regions of the FASER detector and interpret the results in two ways: We use the expected neutrino flux to measure the cross section, and we use the predicted cross section to measure the neutrino flux. Both results are presented in six bins of neutrino energy, achieving the first differential measurement in the TeV range. The observed distributions align with Standard Model predictions. Using this differential data, we extract the contributions of neutrinos from pion and kaon decays.

30 data tables match query

The systematic uncertainties of the fitted number of neutrino interactions.

The systematic uncertainties of the fitted number of anti-neutrino interactions.

The systematic uncertainties of the fitted number of neutrino and anti-neutrino interactions.

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Search for Dark Photons with the FASER detector at the LHC

The FASER collaboration Abreu, Henso ; Anders, John ; Antel, Claire ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 848 (2024) 138378, 2024.
Inspire Record 2687000 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.143251

The FASER experiment at the LHC is designed to search for light, weakly-interacting particles produced in proton-proton collisions at the ATLAS interaction point that travel in the far-forward direction. The first results from a search for dark photons decaying to an electron-positron pair, using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 27.0 fb$^{-1}$ collected at center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s} = 13.6$ TeV in 2022 in LHC Run 3, are presented. No events are seen in an almost background-free analysis, yielding world-leading constraints on dark photons with couplings $\epsilon \sim 2 \times 10^{-5} - 1 \times 10^{-4}$ and masses $\sim$ 17 MeV - 70 MeV. The analysis is also used to probe the parameter space of a massive gauge boson from a U(1)$_{B-L}$ model, with couplings $g_{B-L} \sim 5 \times 10^{-6} - 2 \times 10^{-5}$ and masses $\sim$ 15 MeV - 40 MeV excluded for the first time.

5 data tables match query

90% confidence level observed exclusion contour in the dark photon parameter space.

90% confidence level observed exclusion contour in the dark photon parameter space.

90% confidence level expected exclusion contour in the B-L gauge boson parameter space.

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Azimuthal anisotropy measurement of (multi-)strange hadrons in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\text{NN}}}$ = 54.4 GeV

The STAR collaboration Abdallah, Mohamed ; Aboona, Bassam ; Adam, Jaroslav ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 107 (2023) 024912, 2023.
Inspire Record 2635688 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.130768

Azimuthal anisotropy of produced particles is one of the most important observables used to access the collective properties of the expanding medium created in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. In this paper, we present second ($v_{2}$) and third ($v_{3}$) order azimuthal anisotropies of $K_{S}^{0}$, $\phi$, $\Lambda$, $\Xi$ and $\Omega$ at mid-rapidity ($|y|<$1) in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\text{NN}}}$ = 54.4 GeV measured by the STAR detector. The $v_{2}$ and $v_{3}$ are measured as a function of transverse momentum and centrality. Their energy dependence is also studied. $v_{3}$ is found to be more sensitive to the change in the center-of-mass energy than $v_{2}$. Scaling by constituent quark number is found to hold for $v_{2}$ within 10%. This observation could be evidence for the development of partonic collectivity in 54.4 GeV Au+Au collisions. Differences in $v_{2}$ and $v_{3}$ between baryons and anti-baryons are presented, and ratios of $v_{3}$/$v_{2}^{3/2}$ are studied and motivated by hydrodynamical calculations. The ratio of $v_{2}$ of $\phi$ mesons to that of anti-protons ($v_{2}(\phi)/v_{2}(\bar{p})$) shows centrality dependence at low transverse momentum, presumably resulting from the larger effects from hadronic interactions on anti-proton $v_{2}$.

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$v_{2}(p_{T})$ for $K_{S}^{0}$ (Centrality:0-10%)

$v_{2}(p_{T})$ for $K_{S}^{0}$ (Centrality:10-40%)

$v_{2}(p_{T})$ for $K_{S}^{0}$ (Centrality:40-80%)

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$K^{*0}$ production in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 7.7, 11.5, 14.5, 19.6, 27 and 39 GeV from RHIC beam energy scan

The STAR collaboration Abdallah, Mohamed ; Aboona, Bassam ; Adam, Jaroslav ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 107 (2023) 034907, 2023.
Inspire Record 2642282 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.134956

We report the measurement of $K^{*0}$ meson at midrapidity ($|y|<$ 1.0) in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$~=~7.7, 11.5, 14.5, 19.6, 27 and 39 GeV collected by the STAR experiment during the RHIC beam energy scan (BES) program. The transverse momentum spectra, yield, and average transverse momentum of $K^{*0}$ are presented as functions of collision centrality and beam energy. The $K^{*0}/K$ yield ratios are presented for different collision centrality intervals and beam energies. The $K^{*0}/K$ ratio in heavy-ion collisions are observed to be smaller than that in small system collisions (e+e and p+p). The $K^{*0}/K$ ratio follows a similar centrality dependence to that observed in previous RHIC and LHC measurements. The data favor the scenario of the dominance of hadronic re-scattering over regeneration for $K^{*0}$ production in the hadronic phase of the medium.

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$p_{\mathrm T}$-differential yield of $\mathrm{K^{*0}} + \bar{\mathrm{K^{*0}}}$ in AuAu collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}~=~$7.7 GeV (Multiplicity class 0-20%).

$p_{\mathrm T}$-differential yield of $\mathrm{K^{*0}} + \bar{\mathrm{K^{*0}}}$ in AuAu collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}~=~$7.7 GeV (Multiplicity class 20-40%).

$p_{\mathrm T}$-differential yield of $\mathrm{K^{*0}} + \bar{\mathrm{K^{*0}}}$ in AuAu collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}~=~$7.7 GeV (Multiplicity class 40-60%).

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Higher-Order Cumulants and Correlation Functions of Proton Multiplicity Distributions in $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 3 GeV Au+Au Collisions at the STAR Experiment

The STAR collaboration Abdallah, Mohamed ; Aboona, Bassam ; Adam, Jaroslav ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 107 (2023) 024908, 2023.
Inspire Record 2631860 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.134023

We report a measurement of cumulants and correlation functions of event-by-event proton multiplicity distributions from fixed-target Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 3 GeV measured by the STAR experiment. Protons are identified within the rapidity ($y$) and transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) region $-0.9 < y<0$ and $0.4 < p_{\rm T} <2.0 $ GeV/$c$ in the center-of-mass frame. A systematic analysis of the proton cumulants and correlation functions up to sixth-order as well as the corresponding ratios as a function of the collision centrality, $p_{\rm T}$, and $y$ are presented. The effect of pileup and initial volume fluctuations on these observables and the respective corrections are discussed in detail. The results are compared to calculations from the hadronic transport UrQMD model as well as a hydrodynamic model. In the most central 5% collisions, the value of proton cumulant ratio $C_4/C_2$ is negative, drastically different from the values observed in Au+Au collisions at higher energies. Compared to model calculations including Lattice QCD, a hadronic transport model, and a hydrodynamic model, the strong suppression in the ratio of $C_4/C_2$ at 3 GeV Au+Au collisions indicates an energy regime dominated by hadronic interactions.

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Reference multiplicity distributions obtained from Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 3 GeV data (black markers), Glauber model (red histogram), and unfolding approach to separate single and pileup contributions. Vertical lines represent statistical uncertainties. Single, pileup, and single+pileup collisions are shown in solid blue markers, dashed green, and dashed pink lines, respectively. The 0–5% central events and 5–60% mid-central to peripheral events are indicated by black arrows. The ratio of the single+pileup to the measured multiplicity distribution is shown in the lower panel.

Reference multiplicity distributions obtained from Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 3 GeV data (black markers), Glauber model (red histogram), and unfolding approach to separate single and pileup contributions. Vertical lines represent statistical uncertainties. Single, pileup, and single+pileup collisions are shown in solid blue markers, dashed green, and dashed pink lines, respectively. The 0–5% central events and 5–60% mid-central to peripheral events are indicated by black arrows. The ratio of the single+pileup to the measured multiplicity distribution is shown in the lower panel.

Proton cumulants as a function of reference multiplicity (black circles) from $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 3 GeV Au+Au collisions. Centrality-binned results with and without centrality bin width corrections are represented by red circles and blue squares, respectively. Vertical dashed lines indicate the centrality classes, from right to left: 0–5%, 5–10%, 10–20%. Data points in this figure are only corrected for detector efficiency but not for the pileup effect, which will be discussed in a later section.

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First Observation of Directed Flow of Hypernuclei $^3_{\Lambda}$H and $^4_{\Lambda}$H in $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 3 GeV Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

The STAR collaboration Aboona, Bassam ; Adam, Jaroslav ; Adams, Joseph ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Lett. 130 (2023) 212301, 2023.
Inspire Record 2605845 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.136028

We report here the first observation of directed flow ($v_1$) of the hypernuclei $^3_{\Lambda}$H and $^4_{\Lambda}$H in mid-central Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 3 GeV at RHIC. These data are taken as part of the beam energy scan program carried out by the STAR experiment. From 165 $\times$ 10$^{6}$ events in 5%-40% centrality, about 8400 $^3_{\Lambda}$H and 5200 $^4_{\Lambda}$H candidates are reconstructed through two- and three-body decay channels. We observe that these hypernuclei exhibit significant directed flow. Comparing to that of light nuclei, it is found that the midrapidity $v_1$ slopes of $^3_{\Lambda}$H and $^4_{\Lambda}$H follow baryon number scaling, implying that the coalescence is the dominant mechanism for these hypernuclei production in such collisions.

8 data tables match query

$\Lambda$ hyperon and hypernuclei directed flow $v_1$, shown as a function of rapidity, from the $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 3 GeV 5-40% mid-central Au+Au collisions. In the case of $^{3}_{\Lambda}$H $v_1$, both two-body (dots) and three-body (triangles) decays are used. The linear terms of the fitting for $#Lambda$, $^{3}_{\Lambda}$H and $^{4}_{\Lambda}$H are shown as the yellow-red lines. The rapidity dependence of $v_1$ for $p$, $d$, $t$, $^3$He, and $^4$He are also shown as open markers (circles, diamonds, up-triangles, down-triangles and squares), and the linear terms of the fitting results are shown as dashed lines in the positive rapidity region.

$\Lambda$ hyperon and hypernuclei directed flow $v_1$, shown as a function of rapidity, from the $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 3 GeV 5-40% mid-central Au+Au collisions. In the case of $^{3}_{\Lambda}$H $v_1$, both two-body (dots) and three-body (triangles) decays are used. The linear terms of the fitting for $#Lambda$, $^{3}_{\Lambda}$H and $^{4}_{\Lambda}$H are shown as the yellow-red lines. The rapidity dependence of $v_1$ for $p$, $d$, $t$, $^3$He, and $^4$He are also shown as open markers (circles, diamonds, up-triangles, down-triangles and squares), and the linear terms of the fitting results are shown as dashed lines in the positive rapidity region.

$\Lambda$ hyperon and hypernuclei directed flow $v_1$, shown as a function of rapidity, from the $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 3 GeV 5-40% mid-central Au+Au collisions. In the case of $^{3}_{\Lambda}$H $v_1$, both two-body (dots) and three-body (triangles) decays are used. The linear terms of the fitting for $#Lambda$, $^{3}_{\Lambda}$H and $^{4}_{\Lambda}$H are shown as the yellow-red lines. The rapidity dependence of $v_1$ for $p$, $d$, $t$, $^3$He, and $^4$He are also shown as open markers (circles, diamonds, up-triangles, down-triangles and squares), and the linear terms of the fitting results are shown as dashed lines in the positive rapidity region.

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Hyperon polarization along the beam direction relative to the second and third harmonic event planes in isobar collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV

The STAR collaboration Abdulhamid, Muhammad ; Aboona, Bassam ; Adam, Jaroslav ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Lett. 131 (2023) 202301, 2023.
Inspire Record 2643014 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.139081

The polarization of $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons along the beam direction has been measured relative to the second and third harmonic event planes in isobar Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV. This is the first experimental evidence of the hyperon polarization by the triangular flow originating from the initial density fluctuations. The amplitudes of the sine modulation for the second and third harmonic results are comparable in magnitude, increase from central to peripheral collisions, and show a mild $p_T$ dependence. The azimuthal angle dependence of the polarization follows the vorticity pattern expected due to elliptic and triangular anisotropic flow, and qualitatively disagree with most hydrodynamic model calculations based on thermal vorticity and shear induced contributions. The model results based on one of existing implementations of the shear contribution lead to a correct azimuthal angle dependence, but predict centrality and $p_T$ dependence that still disagree with experimental measurements. Thus, our results provide stringent constraints on the thermal vorticity and shear-induced contributions to hyperon polarization. Comparison to previous measurements at RHIC and the LHC for the second-order harmonic results shows little dependence on the collision system size and collision energy.

5 data tables match query

$sgn(\alpha_H)\langle\cos(\theta_p^{\ast})\rangle$ of $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ as a function of hyperon azimuthal angle relative to the second-order event plane in isobar collisions at 200 GeV.

$sgn(\alpha_H)\langle\cos(\theta_p^{\ast})\rangle$ of $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ as a function of hyperon azimuthal angle relative to the third-order event plane in isobar collisions at 200 GeV.

$P_z$ sine coefficients of $\Lambda+\bar{\Lambda}$ as a function of centrality in isobar collisions at 200 GeV.

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Version 3
Beam Energy Dependence of Fifth and Sixth-Order Net-proton Number Fluctuations in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

The STAR collaboration Aboona, Bassam ; Adam, Jaroslav ; Adamczyk, Leszek ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Lett. 130 (2023) 082301, 2023.
Inspire Record 2119969 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.132661

We report the beam energy and collision centrality dependence of fifth and sixth order cumulants ($C_{5}$, $C_{6}$) and factorial cumulants ($\kappa_{5}$, $\kappa_{6}$) of net-proton and proton distributions, from $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 3 - 200$ GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. The net-proton cumulant ratios generally follow the hierarchy expected from QCD thermodynamics, except for the case of collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 3 GeV. $C_{6}/C_{2}$ for 0-40% centrality collisions is increasingly negative with decreasing $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$, while it is positive for the lowest $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ studied. These observed negative signs are consistent with QCD calculations (at baryon chemical potential, $\mu_{B} \leq$ 110 MeV) that include a crossover quark-hadron transition. In addition, for $\sqrt{s_{NN}} \geq$ 11.5 GeV, the measured proton $\kappa_{n}$, within uncertainties, does not support the two-component shape of proton distributions that would be expected from a first-order phase transition. Taken in combination, the hyper-order proton number fluctuations suggest that the structure of QCD matter at high baryon density, $\mu_{B}\sim 750$ MeV ($\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 3 GeV) is starkly different from those at vanishing $\mu_{B}\sim 20$MeV ($\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV and higher).

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Event-by-event proton multiplicity distributions for 0-40$\%$, 0-5$\%$ and 50-60$\%$ Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 3 GeV. The distributions are not corrected for proton and antiproton detection efficiency.

Event-by-event proton multiplicity distributions for 0-40$\%$, 0-5$\%$ and 50-60$\%$ Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 3 GeV. The distributions are not corrected for proton and antiproton detection efficiency.

Event-by-event proton multiplicity distributions for 0-40$\%$, 0-5$\%$ and 50-60$\%$ Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 3 GeV. The distributions are not corrected for proton and antiproton detection efficiency.

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Version 2
Reaction plane correlated triangular flow in Au+Au collisions at $\mathbf{\sqrt{s_{\textrm{NN}}}=3}$ GeV

The STAR collaboration Abdulhamid, Muhammad ; Aboona, Bassam ; Adam, Jaroslav ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 109 (2024) 044914, 2024.
Inspire Record 2702151 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.144480

We measure triangular flow relative to the reaction plane at 3 GeV center-of-mass energy in Au+Au collisions at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. A significant $v_3$ signal for protons is observed, which increases for higher rapidity, higher transverse momentum, and more peripheral collisions. The triangular flow is essentially rapidity-odd with a slope at mid-rapidity, $dv_3/dy|_{(y=0)}$, opposite in sign compared to the slope for directed flow. No significant $v_3$ signal is observed for charged pions and kaons. Comparisons with models suggest that a mean field potential is required to describe these results, and that the triangular shape of the participant nucleons is the result of stopping and nuclear geometry.

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Event plane resolutions for calculating $v_3\{\Psi_1\}$ as a function of centrality from $\sqrt{s_{\textrm{NN}}}=3$ GeV Au+Au collisions at STAR.

$v_3\{\Psi_1\}$ vs. centrality for $\pi^+$, $\pi^-$, and protons using the event plane method in $\sqrt{s_{\textrm{NN}}}=3$ GeV Au+Au collisions at STAR.

$v_3\{\Psi_1\}$ vs. centrality for $K^+$, and $K^-$ using the event plane method in $\sqrt{s_{\textrm{NN}}}=3$ GeV Au+Au collisions at STAR.

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