We report about the properties of the underlying event measured with ALICE at the LHC in pp and p$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV. The event activity, quantified by charged-particle number and summed-$p_{\rm T}$ densities, is measured as a function of the leading-particle transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}^{\rm trig}$). These quantities are studied in three azimuthal-angle regions relative to the leading particle in the event: toward, away, and transverse. Results are presented for three different $p_{\rm T}$ thresholds (0.15, 0.5, and 1 GeV/$c$) at mid-pseudorapidity ($|\eta|<0.8$). The event activity in the transverse region, which is the most sensitive to the underlying event, exhibits similar behaviour in both pp and p$-$Pb collisions, namely, a steep increase with $p_{\rm T}^{\rm trig}$ for low $p_{\rm T}^{\rm trig}$, followed by a saturation at $p_{\rm T}^{\rm trig} \approx 5$ GeV/$c$. The results from pp collisions are compared with existing measurements at other centre-of-mass energies. The quantities in the toward and away regions are also analyzed after the subtraction of the contribution measured in the transverse region. The remaining jet-like particle densities are consistent in pp and p$-$Pb collisions for $p_{\rm T}^{\rm trig}>10$ GeV/$c$, whereas for lower $p_{\rm T}^{\rm trig}$ values the event activity is slightly higher in p$-$Pb than in pp collisions. The measurements are compared with predictions from the PYTHIA 8 and EPOS LHC Monte Carlo event generators.
Fig. 4: Number density $N_{\rm ch}$ (left) and $\Sigma p_{\rm T}$ (right) distributions as a function of $p_{\rm T}^{\rm trig}$ in Transverse, Away, and Toward regions for $p_{\rm T} >$ 0.5 GeV/$c$. The shaded areas and the error bars around the data points represent the systematic and statistical uncertainties, respectively.
Fig. 5: Number density $N_{\rm ch}$ (left) and $\Sigma p_{\rm T}$ (right) distributions as a function of $p_{\rm T}^{\rm trig}$ in Transverse, Away, and Toward regions for $p_{\rm T} >$ 0.5 GeV/$c$. The shaded areas and the error bars around the data points represent the systematic and statistical uncertainties, respectively.
Fig. 6a: Number density $N_{\rm ch}$ (left) and $\Sigma p_{\rm T}$ (right) distributions as a function of $p_{\rm T}^{\rm trig}$ in Away and Toward regions after the subtraction of Number density $N_{\rm ch}$ and $\Sigma p_{\rm T}$ distributions in the transverse region for pp collisions for $p_{\rm T} >$ 0.5 GeV/$c$. The shaded areas and the error bars around the data points represent the systematic and statistical uncertainties, respectively.
Anisotropic flow coefficients, $v_n$, non-linear flow mode coefficients, $\chi_{n,mk}$, and correlations among different symmetry planes, $\rho_{n,mk}$ are measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\rm{NN}}=5.02$ TeV. Results obtained with multi-particle correlations are reported for the transverse momentum interval $0.2<p_\rm{T}<5.0$ GeV/$c$ within the pseudorapidity interval $0.4<|\eta|<0.8$ as a function of collision centrality. The $v_n$ coefficients and $\chi_{n,mk}$ and $\rho_{n,mk}$ are presented up to the ninth and seventh harmonic order, respectively. Calculations suggest that the correlations measured in different symmetry planes and the non-linear flow mode coefficients are dependent on the shear and bulk viscosity to entropy ratios of the medium created in heavy-ion collisions. The comparison between these measurements and those at lower energies and calculations from hydrodynamic models places strong constraints on the initial conditions and transport properties of the system.
Centrality dependence of flow harmonics from $v_2$ to $v_9$.
Centrality dependence of flow harmonics from $v_2$ to $v_9$.
Centrality dependence of flow harmonics from $v_2$ to $v_9$.
Measurements of $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$ and $\phi(1020)$ resonance production in Pb-Pb and pp collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider are reported. The resonances are measured at midrapidity ($|y|$ $<$ 0.5) via their hadronic decay channels and the transverse momentum ($p_{\rm{T}}$) distributions are obtained for various collision centrality classes up to $p_{\rm{T}}$ $=$ 20 GeV$/c$. The $p_{\rm{T}}$-integrated yield ratio $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$$/$K in Pb-Pb collisions shows significant suppression relative to pp collisions and decreases towards more central collisions. In contrast, the $\phi(1020)$$/$K ratio does not show any suppression. Furthermore, the measured $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$$/$K ratio in central Pb-Pb collisions is significantly suppressed with respect to the expectations based on a thermal model calculation, while the $\phi(1020)$$/$K ratio agrees with the model prediction. These measurements are an experimental demonstration of rescattering of $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$ decay products in the hadronic phase of the collisions. The $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$$/$K yield ratios in Pb-Pb and pp collisions are used to estimate the time duration between chemical and kinetic freeze-out, which is found to be $\sim$ 4-7 fm$/c$ for central collisions. The $p_{\rm{T}}$-differential ratios of $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$$/$K, $\phi(1020)$$/$K, $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$$/\pi$, $\phi(1020)$$/\pi$, $p/$$\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$ and $p/$$\phi(1020)$ are also presented for Pb-Pb and pp collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ $=$ 5.02 TeV. These ratios show that the rescattering effect is predominantly a low-$p_{\rm{T}}$ phenomenon.
$p_{\rm T}$-distributions of $\rm{K}^{*0}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV.
$p_{\rm T}$-distributions of $\rm{K}^{*0}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson measured in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV.
$p_{\rm T}$-distributions of $\phi$ meson measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV.
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.
The transverse momentum ($p_{\rm{T}}$) differential yields of (anti-)$^3$He and (anti-)$^3$H measured in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV with ALICE at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are presented. The ratios of the $p_{\rm{T}}$-integrated yields of (anti-)$^3$He and (anti-)$^3$H to the proton yields are reported, as well as the $p_{\rm{T}}$ dependence of the coalescence parameters $B_3$ for (anti-)$^3$He and (anti-)$^3$H. For (anti-)$^3$He, the results obtained in four classes of the mean charged-particle multiplicity density are also discussed. These results are compared to predictions from a canonical statistical hadronization model and coalescence approaches. An upper limit on the total yield of $^4\bar{\mathrm{He}}$ is determined.
Transverse momentum spectra of (anti-)$^3\mathrm{He}$ measured in $\mathrm{INEL}>0$ p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.02$
Transverse momentum spectra of (anti-)$^3\mathrm{H}$ measured in $\mathrm{INEL}>0$ p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.02$
$^3\overline{\mathrm{He}} /\,^3\mathrm{He}$ ratio in $\mathrm{INEL}>0$ p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.02$
The first evidence of spin alignment of vector mesons ($K^{*0}$ and $\phi$) in heavy-ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is reported. The spin density matrix element $\rho_{00}$ is measured at midrapidity ($|y| <$ 0.5) in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy ($\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$) of 2.76 TeV with the ALICE detector. $\rho_{00}$ values are found to be less than 1/3 (1/3 implies no spin alignment) at low transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T} <$ 2 GeV/$c$) for $K^{*0}$ and $\phi$ at a level of 3$\sigma$ and 2$\sigma$, respectively. No significant spin alignment is observed for the $K^0_S$ meson (spin = 0) in Pb-Pb collisions and for the vector mesons in $pp$ collisions. The measured spin alignment is unexpectedly large but qualitatively consistent with the expectation from models which attribute it to a polarization of quarks in the presence of angular momentum in heavy-ion collisions and a subsequent hadronization by the process of recombination.
$cos\theta^{*}$ distribution of $\rm{K}^{*0}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson w.r.t. Event Plane in transverse momentum range 0.8-1.2 GeV/$c$ measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV.
$cos\theta^{*}$ distribution of $\phi$ meson w.r.t. Event Plane in transverse momentum range 0.5-0.7 GeV/$c$ measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV.
$cos\theta^{*}$ distribution of $\rm{K}^{*0}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson w.r.t. Production Plane in transverse momentum range 0.4-1.2 GeV/$c$ measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV.
Mid-rapidity production of $\pi^{\pm}$, $\rm{K}^{\pm}$ and ($\bar{\rm{p}}$)p measured by the ALICE experiment at the LHC, in Pb-Pb and inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV, is presented. The invariant yields are measured over a wide transverse momentum ($p_{\rm{T}}$) range from hundreds of MeV/$c$ up to 20 GeV/$c$. The results in Pb-Pb collisions are presented as a function of the collision centrality, in the range 0$-$90%. The comparison of the $p_{\rm{T}}$-integrated particle ratios, i.e. proton-to-pion (p/$\pi$) and kaon-to-pion (K/$\pi$) ratios, with similar measurements in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV show no significant energy dependence. Blast-wave fits of the $p_{\rm{T}}$ spectra indicate that in the most central collisions radial flow is slightly larger at 5.02 TeV with respect to 2.76 TeV. Particle ratios (p/$\pi$, K/$\pi$) as a function of $p_{\rm{T}}$ show pronounced maxima at $p_{\rm{T}}$ $\approx$ 3 GeV/$c$ in central Pb-Pb collisions. At high $p_{\rm{T}}$, particle ratios at 5.02 TeV are similar to those measured in pp collisions at the same energy and in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV. Using the pp reference spectra measured at the same collision energy of 5.02 TeV, the nuclear modification factors for the different particle species are derived. Within uncertainties, the nuclear modification factor is particle species independent for high $p_{\rm{T}}$ and compatible with measurements at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV. The results are compared to state-of-the-art model calculations, which are found to describe the observed trends satisfactorily.
$p_{T}$-distributions of pions ($\pi^{+}+\pi^{-}$) measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV.
$p_{T}$-distributions of pions ($\pi^{+}+\pi^{-}$) measured in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV.
$p_{T}$-distributions of kaons ($K^{+}+K^{-}$) measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV.
This article reports measurements of the $p_{\rm{T}}$-differential inclusive jet cross-section in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV and the $p_{\rm{T}}$-differential inclusive jet yield in Pb-Pb 0-10% central collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV. Jets were reconstructed at mid-rapidity with the ALICE tracking detectors and electromagnetic calorimeter using the anti-$k_{\rm{T}}$ algorithm. For pp collisions, we report jet cross-sections for jet resolution parameters $R=0.1-0.6$ over the range $20<p_{\rm{T,jet}}<140$ GeV/$c$, as well as the jet cross-section ratios of different $R$, and comparisons to two next-to-leading-order (NLO)-based theoretical predictions. For Pb-Pb collisions, we report the $R=0.2$ and $R=0.4$ jet spectra for $40<p_{\rm{T,jet}}<140$ GeV/$c$ and $60<p_{\rm{T,jet}}<140$ GeV/$c$, respectively. The scaled ratio of jet yields observed in Pb-Pb to pp collisions, $R_{\rm{AA}}$, is constructed, and exhibits strong jet quenching and a clear $p_{\rm{T}}$-dependence for $R=0.2$. No significant $R$-dependence of the jet $R_{\rm{AA}}$ is observed within the uncertainties of the measurement. These results are compared to several theoretical predictions.
Fig. 1 Left, data for jet radius R=0.1. Unfolded pp full jet cross-section at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV for R = 0.1 − 0.6. No leading track requirement is imposed.
Fig. 1 Left, data for jet radius R=0.1. Unfolded pp full jet cross-section at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV for R = 0.1 − 0.6. No leading track requirement is imposed.
Fig. 1 Left, data for jet radius R=0.2. Unfolded pp full jet cross-section at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV for R = 0.1 − 0.6. No leading track requirement is imposed.
The production of the $\Lambda$(1520) baryonic resonance has been measured at midrapidity in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV and in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV for non-single diffractive events and in multiplicity classes. The resonance is reconstructed through its hadronic decay channel $\Lambda$(1520) $\rightarrow$ pK$^{-}$ and the charge conjugate with the ALICE detector. The integrated yields and mean transverse momenta are calculated from the measured transverse momentum distributions in pp and p-Pb collisions. The mean transverse momenta follow mass ordering as previously observed for other hyperons in the same collision systems. A Blast-Wave function constrained by other light hadrons ($\pi$, K, K$_{\rm{S}}^0$, p, $\Lambda$) describes the shape of the $\Lambda$(1520) transverse momentum distribution up to 3.5 GeV/$c$ in p-Pb collisions. In the framework of this model, this observation suggests that the $\Lambda(1520)$ resonance participates in the same collective radial flow as other light hadrons. The ratio of the yield of $\Lambda(1520)$ to the yield of the ground state particle $\Lambda$ remains constant as a function of charged-particle multiplicity, suggesting that there is no net effect of the hadronic phase in p-Pb collisions on the $\Lambda$(1520) yield.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential yields of $\Lambda$(1520) (sum of particle and anti-particle states) at midrapidity in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ $\mathrm{=}$ 7 TeV.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential yields of $\Lambda$(1520) (sum of particle and anti-particle states) in NSD p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ $\mathrm{=}$ 5.02 TeV. The uncertainty 'sys,$p_{\rm T}$-correlated' indicates the systematic uncertainty after removing the contributions of $p_{\rm T}$-uncorrelated uncertainty.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential yields of $\Lambda$(1520) (sum of particle and anti-particle states) in p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ $\mathrm{=}$ 5.02 TeV in multiplicity interval 0--20\%. The uncertainty 'sys,$p_{\rm T}$-correlated' indicates the systematic uncertainty after removing the contributions of $p_{\rm T}$-uncorrelated uncertainty.
An improved value for the lifetime of the (anti-)hypertriton has been obtained using the data sample of Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = $ 5.02 TeV collected by the ALICE experiment at the LHC. The (anti-)hypertriton has been reconstructed via its charged two-body mesonic decay channel and the lifetime has been determined from an exponential fit to the d$N$/d($ct$) spectrum. The measured value, $\tau$ = 242$^{+34}_{-38}$ (stat.) $\pm$ 17 (syst.) ps, is compatible with all the available theoretical predictions, thus contributing to the solution of the longstanding hypertriton lifetime puzzle.
(Hypertriton + Anti-Hypertriton)dN/d(ct) distribution.