We report on the measurement of the Central Exclusive Production of charged particle pairs $h^{+}h^{-}$ ($h = \pi, K, p$) with the STAR detector at RHIC in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 200$ GeV. The charged particle pairs produced in the reaction $pp\to p^\prime+h^{+}h^{-}+p^\prime$ are reconstructed from the tracks in the central detector, while the forward-scattered protons are measured in the Roman Pot system. Differential cross sections are measured in the fiducial region, which roughly corresponds to the square of the four-momentum transfers at the proton vertices in the range $0.04~\mbox{GeV}^2 < -t_1 , -t_2 < 0.2~\mbox{GeV}^2$, invariant masses of the charged particle pairs up to a few GeV and pseudorapidities of the centrally-produced hadrons in the range $|\eta|<0.7$. The measured cross sections are compared to phenomenological predictions based on the Double Pomeron Exchange (DPE) model. Structures observed in the mass spectra of $\pi^{+}\pi^{-}$ and $K^{+}K^{-}$ pairs are consistent with the DPE model, while angular distributions of pions suggest a dominant spin-0 contribution to $\pi^{+}\pi^{-}$ production. The fiducial $\pi^+\pi^-$ cross section is extrapolated to the Lorentz-invariant region, which allows decomposition of the invariant mass spectrum into continuum and resonant contributions. The extrapolated cross section is well described by the continuum production and at least three resonances, the $f_0(980)$, $f_2(1270)$ and $f_0(1500)$, with a possible small contribution from the $f_0(1370)$. Fits to the extrapolated differential cross section as a function of $t_1$ and $t_2$ enable extraction of the exponential slope parameters in several bins of the invariant mass of $\pi^+\pi^-$ pairs. These parameters are sensitive to the size of the interaction region.
Differential fiducial cross section for CEP of $\pi^+\pi^-$ pairs as a function of the invariant mass of the pair. Systematic uncertainties assigned to data points are strongly correlated between bins and should be treated as allowed collective variation of all data points. There are two components of the total systematic uncertainty. The systematic uncertainty related to the experimental tools and analysis method is labeled "syst. (experimental)". The systematic uncertainty related to the integrated luminosity (fully correlated between all data points) is labeled "syst. (luminosity)". Fiducial region definition: * central state $\pi^+$, $\pi^-$ - $p_{\mathrm{T}} > 0.2~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $|\eta| < 0.7$ * intact forward-scattered beam protons $p'$ - $p_x > -0.2~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $0.2~\mathrm{GeV} < |p_{y}| < 0.4~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $(p_x+0.3~\mathrm{GeV})^2 + p_y^2 < 0.25~\mathrm{GeV}^2$
Differential fiducial cross section for CEP of $K^+K^-$ pairs as a function of the invariant mass of the pair. Systematic uncertainties assigned to data points are strongly correlated between bins and should be treated as allowed collective variation of all data points. There are two components of the total systematic uncertainty. The systematic uncertainty related to the experimental tools and analysis method is labeled "syst. (experimental)". The systematic uncertainty related to the integrated luminosity (fully correlated between all data points) is labeled "syst. (luminosity)". Fiducial region definition: * central state $K^+$, $K^-$ - $p_{\mathrm{T}} > 0.3~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $min(p_{\mathrm{T}}(K^+), p_{\mathrm{T}}(K^-)) < 0.7~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $|\eta| < 0.7$ * intact forward-scattered beam protons $p'$ - $p_x > -0.2~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $0.2~\mathrm{GeV} < |p_{y}| < 0.4~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $(p_x+0.3~\mathrm{GeV})^2 + p_y^2 < 0.25~\mathrm{GeV}^2$
Differential fiducial cross section for CEP of $p\bar{p}$ pairs as a function of the invariant mass of the pair. Systematic uncertainties assigned to data points are strongly correlated between bins and should be treated as allowed collective variation of all data points. There are two components of the total systematic uncertainty. The systematic uncertainty related to the experimental tools and analysis method is labeled "syst. (experimental)". The systematic uncertainty related to the integrated luminosity (fully correlated between all data points) is labeled "syst. (luminosity)". Fiducial region definition: * central state $p$, $\bar{p}$ - $p_{\mathrm{T}} > 0.4~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $min(p_{\mathrm{T}}(p), p_{\mathrm{T}}(\bar{p})) < 1.1~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $|\eta| < 0.7$ * intact forward-scattered beam protons $p'$ - $p_x > -0.2~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $0.2~\mathrm{GeV} < |p_{y}| < 0.4~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $(p_x+0.3~\mathrm{GeV})^2 + p_y^2 < 0.25~\mathrm{GeV}^2$
We report results on the total and elastic cross sections in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=200$ GeV obtained with the Roman Pot setup of the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The elastic differential cross section was measured in the squared four-momentum transfer range $0.045 \leq -t \leq 0.135$ GeV$^2$. The value of the exponential slope parameter $B$ of the elastic differential cross section $d\sigma/dt \sim e^{-Bt}$ in the measured $-t$ range was found to be $B = 14.32 \pm 0.09 (stat.)^{\scriptstyle +0.13}_{\scriptstyle -0.28} (syst.)$ GeV$^{-2}$. The total cross section $\sigma_{tot}$, obtained from extrapolation of the $d\sigma/dt$ to the optical point at $-t = 0$, is $\sigma_{tot} = 54.67 \pm 0.21 (stat.) ^{\scriptstyle +1.28}_{\scriptstyle -1.38} (syst.)$ mb. We also present the values of the elastic cross section $\sigma_{el} = 10.85 \pm 0.03 (stat.) ^{\scriptstyle +0.49}_{\scriptstyle -0.41}(syst.)$ mb, the elastic cross section integrated within the STAR $t$-range $\sigma^{det}_{el} = 4.05 \pm 0.01 (stat.) ^{\scriptstyle+0.18}_{\scriptstyle -0.17}(syst.)$ mb, and the inelastic cross section $\sigma_{inel} = 43.82 \pm 0.21 (stat.) ^{\scriptstyle +1.37}_{\scriptstyle -1.44} (syst.)$ mb. The results are compared with the world data.
The proton-proton elastic differential cross-section $d\sigma_{el}/dt$ in the t-range 0.045<|t|<0.135 $GeV^{2}$ at sqrt(s) = 200 GeV.
The B-slope of the exponential fit A*exp(-B*|t|) to the single differential proton-proton elastic cross-section in the t-range 0.045<|t|<0.135 GeV**2 at sqrt(s) = 200 GeV.
The total, elastic and inelastic cross-sections for proton-proton scattering at sqrt(s)=200 GeV, the elastic cross-section measured in the t-range 0.045<|t|<0.135 GeV^2 and the value of the differential cross-section extrapolated to |t| = 0.
Particle production sensitive to non-factorizable and non-perturbative processes that contribute to the underlying event associated with a high transverse momentum ($p_{T}$) jet in proton+proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=200 GeV is studied with the STAR detector. Each event is divided into three regions based on the azimuthal angle with respect to the highest-$p_{T}$ jet direction: in the leading jet direction ("Toward"), opposite to the leading jet ("Away"), and perpendicular to the leading jet ("Transverse"). In the Transverse region, the average charged particle density is found to be between 0.4 and 0.6 and the mean transverse momentum, $\langle p_{T}\rangle$, between 0.5-0.7 GeV/$c$ for particles with $p_{T}$$>$0.2 GeV/$c$ at mid-pseudorapidity ($|\eta|$$<$1) and jet $p_{T}$$>$15 GeV/$c$. Both average particle density and $\langle p_{T}\rangle$ depend weakly on the leading jet $p_{T}$. Closer inspection of the Transverse region hints that contributions to the underlying event from initial- and final-state radiation are significantly smaller in these collisions than at the higher energies, up to 13 TeV, recorded at the LHC. Underlying event measurements associated with a high-$p_{T}$ jet will contribute to our understanding of QCD processes at hard and soft scales at RHIC energies, as well as provide constraints to modeling of underlying event dynamics.
Average charged particle multiplicity densities for Toward, Away, and Transverse regions as functions of the leading jet pT, with charged particle pT>0.2 GeV/c. The wide curves are PYTHIA 6 (STAR). The middle width curves are default PYTHIA 6 Perugia 2012 tune. The thin curves are PYTHIA 8 Monash 2013 tune. The solid curves are the Toward region. The sparse dashed curves are the Away region. The dense dashed curves are the Transverse region.
Transverse region average charged particle densities for pT>0.2 GeV/c (open symbols) and pT>0.5 GeV/c (filled symbols). Simulations are also shown as curves. The wide curves are PYTHIA 6 (STAR). The middle width curves are default PYTHIA 6 Perugia 2012 tune. The thin curves are PYTHIA 8 Monash 2013 tune.
Charged particle <pT> for Toward, Away, and Transverse regions as functions of the leading jet pT, with charged particle pT>0.2 GeV/c. Simulations are also shown as curves. The wide curves are PYTHIA 6 (STAR). The middle width curves are default PYTHIA 6 Perugia 2012 tune. The thin curves are PYTHIA 8 Monash 2013 tune. Note the three curves overlap for the Transverse region calculations.
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 present the measurement of the transverse single-spin asymmetry of weak boson production in transversely polarized proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 500~\text{GeV}$ by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The measured observable is sensitive to the Sivers function, one of the transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions, which is predicted to have the opposite sign in proton-proton collisions from that observed in deep inelastic lepton-proton scattering. These data provide the first experimental investigation of the non-universality of the Sivers function, fundamental to our understanding of QCD.
$P_{T}$ Recoil distribution of events simulated with PYTHIA 6.4 and reconstructed before and after the boson's PT correction has been applied.
Estimated background contributions for the $W^+ -> ev$ data yields.
Estimated background contributions for the $W^- -> ev$ data yields.
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$$+$$p$ collisions at center of mass energies of $\sqrt{s}$=500 and 510~GeV. These asymmetries allow direct access to the anti-quark polarized parton distribution functions due to the parity-violating nature of the $W$-boson coupling to quarks and anti-quarks. The results presented are based on data collected in 2011, 2012, and 2013 with an integrated luminosity of 240 pb$^{-1}$, which exceeds previous PHENIX published results by a factor of more than 27. These high $Q^2$ data provide an important addition to our understanding of anti-quark parton helicity distribution functions.
Longitudinal single-spin asymmetries, $A_L$, for the 2011 and 2012 data sets (combined) spanning the entire $\eta$ range of PHENIX ($\left|\eta\right|<0.35$), for the 2013 data set separated into two $\eta$ bins, and for the combined 2011-2013 data sets.
We report the observation of transverse polarization-dependent azimuthal correlations in charged pion pair production with the STAR experiment in $p^\uparrow+p$ collisions at RHIC. These correlations directly probe quark transversity distributions. We measure signals in excess of five standard deviations at high transverse momenta, at high pseudorapidities eta>0.5, and for pair masses around the mass of the rho-meson. This is the first direct transversity measurement in p+p collisions. Comparing the results to data from lepton-nucleon scattering will test the universality of these spin-dependent quantities.
$p_T$ asymmetries, $\eta$ < 0, maximum opening angle of 0.2.
$<M_{inv}>$ asymmetries, $\eta$ < 0, maximum opening angle of 0.2.
$p_T$ asymmetries, $\eta$ > 0, maximum opening angle 0.2.
We present the midrapidity charged pion invariant cross sections and the ratio of $\pi^-$-to-$\pi^+$ production ($5<p_T<13$ GeV/$c$), together with the double-helicity asymmetries ($5<p_T<12$ GeV/$c$) in polarized $p$$+$$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 report a new high-precision measurement of the mid-rapidity inclusive jet longitudinal double-spin asymmetry, $A_{LL}$, in polarized $pp$ collisions at center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}=200$ GeV. The STAR data place stringent constraints on polarized parton distribution functions extracted at next-to-leading order from global analyses of inclusive deep inelastic scattering (DIS), semi-inclusive DIS, and RHIC $pp$ data. The measured asymmetries provide evidence for positive gluon polarization in the Bjorken-$x$ region $x>0.05$.
Jet neutral energy fraction (NEF) comparing data with simulations, where both are calculated with pT subtraction. This plot shows 8.4 < $p_T$ < 9.9 GeV/c.
Jet neutral energy fraction (NEF) comparing data with simulations, where both are calculated with pT subtraction. This plot shows 26.8 < $p_T$ < 31.6 GeV/c.
Inclusive jet $A_{LL}$ vs. parton jet $p_T$ for |eta|<0.5.
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.