In relativistic heavy-ion collisions, a global spin polarization, $P_\mathrm{H}$, of $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons along the direction of the system angular momentum was discovered and measured across a broad range of collision energies and demonstrated a trend of increasing $P_\mathrm{H}$ with decreasing $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$. A splitting between $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ polarization may be possible due to their different magnetic moments in a late-stage magnetic field sustained by the quark-gluon plasma which is formed in the collision. The results presented in this study find no significant splitting at the collision energies of $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=19.6$ and $27$ GeV in the RHIC Beam Energy Scan Phase II using the STAR detector, with an upper limit of $P_{\bar{\Lambda}}-P_{\Lambda}<0.24$% and $P_{\bar{\Lambda}}-P_{\Lambda}<0.35$%, respectively, at a 95% confidence level. We derive an upper limit on the na\"ive extraction of the late-stage magnetic field of $B<9.4\cdot10^{12}$ T and $B<1.4\cdot10^{13}$ T at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=19.6$ and $27$ GeV, respectively, although more thorough derivations are needed. Differential measurements of $P_\mathrm{H}$ were performed with respect to collision centrality, transverse momentum, and rapidity. With our current acceptance of $|y|<1$ and uncertainties, we observe no dependence on transverse momentum and rapidity in this analysis. These results challenge multiple existing model calculations following a variety of different assumptions which have each predicted a strong dependence on rapidity in this collision-energy range.
The first-order event-plane resolution determined by the STAR EPD as a function of collision centrality is roughly doubled in comparison to previous analyses using the STAR BBC. We see $R_{\rm EP}^{(1)}$ peak for mid-central collisions.
The mid-central $P_{\rm H}$ measurements reported in this work are shown alongside previous measurements in the upper panel, and are consistent with previous measurements at the energies studied here. The difference between integrated $P_{\bar{\Lambda}}$ and $P_{\Lambda}$ is shown at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$=19.6 and 27 GeV alongside previous measurements in the lower panel. The splittings observed with these high-statistics data sets are consistent with zero. Statistical uncertainties are represented as lines while systematic uncertainties are represented as boxes. The previous $P_{\bar{\Lambda}}-P_{\Lambda}$ result at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=7.7$ GeV is outside the axis range, but is consistent with zero within $2\sigma$.
$P_{\rm H}$ measurements are shown as a function of collision centrality at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$=19.6 and 27 GeV. Statistical uncertainties are represented as lines while systematic uncertainties are represented as boxes. $P_{\rm H}$ increases with collision centrality at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$=19.6 and 27 GeV, as expected from an angular-momentum-driven phenomenon.
Global polarizations ($P$) of $\Lambda$ ($\bar{\Lambda}$) hyperons have been observed in non-central heavy-ion collisions. The strong magnetic field primarily created by the spectator protons in such collisions would split the $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ global polarizations ($\Delta P = P_{\Lambda} - P_{\bar{\Lambda}} < 0$). Additionally, quantum chromodynamics (QCD) predicts topological charge fluctuations in vacuum, resulting in a chirality imbalance or parity violation in a local domain. This would give rise to an imbalance ($\Delta n = \frac{N_{\text{L}} - N_{\text{R}}}{\langle N_{\text{L}} + N_{\text{R}} \rangle} \neq 0$) between left- and right-handed $\Lambda$ ($\bar{\Lambda}$) as well as a charge separation along the magnetic field, referred to as the chiral magnetic effect (CME). This charge separation can be characterized by the parity-even azimuthal correlator ($\Delta\gamma$) and parity-odd azimuthal harmonic observable ($\Delta a_{1}$). Measurements of $\Delta P$, $\Delta\gamma$, and $\Delta a_{1}$ have not led to definitive conclusions concerning the CME or the magnetic field, and $\Delta n$ has not been measured previously. Correlations among these observables may reveal new insights. This paper reports measurements of correlation between $\Delta n$ and $\Delta a_{1}$, which is sensitive to chirality fluctuations, and correlation between $\Delta P$ and $\Delta\gamma$ sensitive to magnetic field in Au+Au collisions at 27 GeV. For both measurements, no correlations have been observed beyond statistical fluctuations.
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The deconfined quark-gluon plasma (QGP) created in relativistic heavy-ion collisions enables the exploration of the fundamental properties of matter under extreme conditions. Non-central collisions can produce strong magnetic fields on the order of $10^{18}$ Gauss, which offers a probe into the electrical conductivity of the QGP. In particular, quarks and anti-quarks carry opposite charges and receive contrary electromagnetic forces that alter their momenta. This phenomenon can be manifested in the collective motion of final-state particles, specifically in the rapidity-odd directed flow, denoted as $v_1(\mathsf{y})$. Here we present the charge-dependent measurements of $dv_1/d\mathsf{y}$ near midrapidities for $\pi^{\pm}$, $K^{\pm}$, and $p(\bar{p})$ in Au+Au and isobar ($_{44}^{96}$Ru+$_{44}^{96}$Ru and $_{40}^{96}$Zr+$_{40}^{96}$Zr) collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=$ 200 GeV, and in Au+Au collisions at 27 GeV, recorded by the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The combined dependence of the $v_1$ signal on collision system, particle species, and collision centrality can be qualitatively and semi-quantitatively understood as several effects on constituent quarks. While the results in central events can be explained by the $u$ and $d$ quarks transported from initial-state nuclei, those in peripheral events reveal the impacts of the electromagnetic field on the QGP. Our data put valuable constraints on the electrical conductivity of the QGP in theoretical calculations.
Directed flow of $p$ and $\bar{p}$ vs rapidity in Au+Au 200 GeV 50-80% centrality.
Directed flow of $p$ and $\bar{p}$ vs rapidity in Zr+Zr and Ru+Ru 200 GeV (combined) 50-80% centrality.
Directed flow of $p$ and $\bar{p}$ vs rapidity in Au+Au 27 GeV 50-80% centrality.
Notwithstanding decades of progress since Yukawa first developed a description of the force between nucleons in terms of meson exchange, a full understanding of the strong interaction remains a major challenge in modern science. One remaining difficulty arises from the non-perturbative nature of the strong force, which leads to the phenomenon of quark confinement at distances on the order of the size of the proton. Here we show that in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, where quarks and gluons are set free over an extended volume, two species of produced vector (spin-1) mesons, namely $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$, emerge with a surprising pattern of global spin alignment. In particular, the global spin alignment for $\phi$ is unexpectedly large, while that for $K^{*0}$ is consistent with zero. The observed spin-alignment pattern and magnitude for the $\phi$ cannot be explained by conventional mechanisms, while a model with a connection to strong force fields, i.e. an effective proxy description within the Standard Model and Quantum Chromodynamics, accommodates the current data. This connection, if fully established, will open a potential new avenue for studying the behaviour of strong force fields.
Global spin alignment of $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ vector mesons in heavy-ion collisions. The measured matrix element $\rho_{00}$ as a function of beam energy for the $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ vector mesons within the indicated windows of centrality, transverse momentum ($p_T$) and rapidity ($y$). The open symbols indicate ALICE results for Pb+Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV at $p_{T}$ values of 2.0 and 1.4 GeV/c for the $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ mesons, respectively, corresponding to the $p_{T}$ bin nearest to the mean $p_{T}$ for the 1.0 – 5.0 GeV/$c$ range assumed for each meson in the present analysis. The red solid curve is a fit to data in the range of $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 19.6$ to 200 GeV, based on a theoretical calculation with a $\phi$-meson field. Parameter sensitivity of $\rho_{00}$ to the $\phi$-meson field is shown in Ref.5. The red dashed line is an extension of the solid curve with the fitted parameter $G_s^{(y)}$. The black dashed line represents $\rho_{00}=1/3.$
Global spin alignment of $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ vector mesons in heavy-ion collisions. The measured matrix element $\rho_{00}$ as a function of beam energy for the $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ vector mesons within the indicated windows of centrality, transverse momentum ($p_T$) and rapidity ($y$). The open symbols indicate ALICE results for Pb+Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV at $p_{T}$ values of 2.0 and 1.4 GeV/c for the $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ mesons, respectively, corresponding to the $p_{T}$ bin nearest to the mean $p_{T}$ for the 1.0 – 5.0 GeV/$c$ range assumed for each meson in the present analysis. The red solid curve is a fit to data in the range of $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 19.6$ to 200 GeV, based on a theoretical calculation with a $\phi$-meson field. Parameter sensitivity of $\rho_{00}$ to the $\phi$-meson field is shown in Ref.5. The red dashed line is an extension of the solid curve with the fitted parameter $G_s^{(y)}$. The black dashed line represents $\rho_{00}=1/3.$
Example of combinatorial background subtracted invariant mass distributions and the extracted yields as a function of $\cos \theta^*$ for $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ mesons. \textbf{a)} example of $\phi \rightarrow K^+ + K^-$ invariant mass distributions, with combinatorial background subtracted, integrated over $\cos \theta^*$; \textbf{b)} example of $K^{*0} (\overline{K^{*0}}) \rightarrow K^{-} \pi^{+} (K^{+} \pi^{-})$ invariant mass distributions, with combinatorial background subtracted, integrated over $\cos \theta^*$; \textbf{c)} extracted yields of $\phi$ as a function of $\cos \theta^*$; \textbf{d)} extracted yields of $K^{*0}$ as a function of $\cos \theta^*$.
A search for physics beyond the Standard Model, in final states with at least one high transverse momentum charged lepton (electron or muon) and two additional high transverse momentum leptons or jets, is performed using 3.2 fb$^{-1}$ of proton--proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider in 2015 at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV. The upper end of the distribution of the scalar sum of the transverse momenta of leptons and jets is sensitive to the production of high-mass objects. No excess of events beyond Standard Model predictions is observed. Exclusion limits are set for models of microscopic black holes with two to six extra dimensions.
Background fit results for regions SR-2TeV ( sumPT > 2 TeV) and SR-3TeV ( sumPT > 3 TeV) for the electron and muons channels. The errors shown are the statistical plus systematic uncertainties. The uncertainty in the total background count includes correlations between nuisance parameters and so does not reflect a quadrature sum of the uncertainties in the individual background components.
The sumPT distribution in the W+jets control region (electron channel). Expected background yields are given along with the total background uncertainty. The ttbar, W+jets and Z+jets backgrounds are normalised by the factors 0.95, 0.81 and 1.01 as obtained from the background likelihood fit. The single-top-quark and diboson background normalisations are taken from the simulation. The multijet background is obtained using a data-driven method. Additionally, the likelihood fit may constrain nuisance parameters for certain systematic uncertainties, altering the normalisation and shape of some of the distributions.
The sumPT distribution in the W+jets control region (muon channel). Expected background yields are given along with the total background uncertainty. The ttbar, W+jets and Z+jets backgrounds are normalised by the factors 0.95, 0.81 and 1.01 as obtained from the background likelihood fit. The single-top-quark and diboson background normalisations are taken from the simulation. The multijet background is obtained using a data-driven method. Additionally, the likelihood fit may constrain nuisance parameters for certain systematic uncertainties, altering the normalisation and shape of some of the distributions.
An inclusive search for a new-physics signature of lepton-jet resonances has been performed by the ATLAS experiment. Scalar leptoquarks, pair-produced in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider, have been considered. An integrated luminosity of 3.2 fb$^{-1}$, corresponding to the full 2015 dataset was used. First (second) generation leptoquarks were sought in events with two electrons (muons) and two or more jets. The observed event yield in each channel is consistent with Standard Model background expectations. The observed (expected) lower limits on the leptoquark mass at 95% confidence level are 1100 GeV and 1050 GeV (1160 GeV and 1040 GeV) for first and second generation leptoquarks, respectively, assuming a branching ratio into a charged lepton and a quark of 100%. Upper limits on the aforementioned branching ratio are also given as a function of leptoquark mass. Compared with the results of earlier ATLAS searches, the sensitivity is increased for leptoquark masses above 860 GeV, and the observed exclusion limits confirm and extend the published results.
Normalisation factors for the main backgrounds obtained from the combined fit in each of the channels. The total uncertainty is given.
Search for the first generation leptoquarks (LQs). Event yields in the Z control region (CR), ttbar CR and in the signal region (SR). Each CR is treated as one bin in the profile likelihood fit. The SR is split to 7 bins according to $m_{\text{LQ}}^{\text{min}}$ for the fit. The table below shows the total number of events in each CR. For the SR, it shows the number of events per 100 GeV as a function of $m_{\text{LQ}}^{\text{min}}$. The background expectations are scaled by a scale factor extracted from the fit. However, the uncertainties shown are the pre-fit ones. The data event yield uncertainty is statistical (gaussian). The background uncertainty consists of all the experimental and theoretical components summed in quadrature. The uncertainty of the fit-extracted background scale factor is also added in quadrature.
Search for the second generation leptoquarks (LQs). Event yields in the Z control region (CR), ttbar CR and in the signal region (SR). Each CR is treated as one bin in the profile likelihood fit. The SR is split to 7 bins according to $m_{\text{LQ}}^{\text{min}}$ for the fit. The table below shows the total number of events in each CR. For the SR, it shows the number of events per 100 GeV as a function of $m_{\text{LQ}}^{\text{min}}$. The background expectations are scaled by a scale factor extracted from the fit. However, the uncertainties shown are the pre-fit ones. The data event yield uncertainty is statistical (gaussian). The background uncertainty consists of all the experimental and theoretical components summed in quadrature. The uncertainty of the fit-extracted background scale factor is also added in quadrature.
We present measurements of Collins asymmetries in the inclusive process $e^+e^- \rightarrow h_1 h_2 X$, $h_1h_2=KK,\, K\pi,\, \pi\pi$, at the center-of-mass energy of 10.6 GeV, using a data sample of 468 fb$^{-1}$ collected by the BaBar experiment at the PEP-II $B$ factory at SLAC National Accelerator Center. Considering hadrons in opposite thrust hemispheres of hadronic events, we observe clear azimuthal asymmetries in the ratio of unlike- to like-sign, and unlike- to all charged $h_1 h_2$ pairs, which increase with hadron energies. The $K\pi$ asymmetries are similar to those measured for the $\pi\pi$ pairs, whereas those measured for high-energy $KK$ pairs are, in general, larger.
Light quark ($uds$) Collins asymmetries obtained by fitting the U/L and U/C double ratios as a function of ($z_1$,$z_2$) for kaon pairs. In the first column, the $z$ bins and their respective mean values for the kaon in one hemisphere are reported; in the following column, the same variables for the second kaon are shown; in the third column the mean value of $\sin^2\theta_{th}/(1+\cos^2\theta_{th})$ is summarized, calculated in the RF12 frame; in the last two columns the asymmetry results are summarized. The mean values of the quantities reported in the table are calculated by summing the corresponding values for each $KK$ pair and dividing by the number of $KK$ pairs that fall into each ($z_1$,$z_2$) interval. Note that the $A^{UL}$ and $A^{UC}$ results are strongly correlated since they are obtained by using the same data set.
Light quark ($uds$) Collins asymmetries obtained by fitting the U/L and U/C double ratios as a function of ($z_1$,$z_2$) for kaon pairs. In the first column, the $z$ bins and their respective mean values for the kaon in one hemisphere are reported; in the following column, the same variables for the second kaon are shown; in the third column the mean value of $\sin^2\theta_{2}/(1+\cos^2\theta_{2})$ is summarized, calculated in the RF0 frame; in the last two columns the asymmetry results are summarized. The mean values of the quantities reported in the table are calculated by summing the corresponding values for each $KK$ pair and dividing by the number of $KK$ pairs that fall into each ($z_1$,$z_2$) interval. Note that the $A^{UL}$ and $A^{UC}$ results are strongly correlated since they are obtained by using the same data set.
Light quark ($uds$) Collins asymmetries obtained by fitting the U/L and U/C double ratios as a function of ($z_1$,$z_2$) for $K\pi$ hadron pairs. In the first column, the $z$ bins and their respective mean values for the hadron ($K$ or $\pi$) in one hemisphere are reported; in the following column, the same variables for the second hadron ($K$ or $\pi$) are shown; in the third column the mean value of $\sin^2\theta_{th}/(1+\cos^2\theta_{th})$ is summarized, calculated in the RF12 frame; in the last two columns the asymmetry results are summarized. The mean values of the quantities reported in the table are calculated by summing the corresponding values for each $K\pi$ pair and dividing by the number of $K\pi$ pairs that fall into each ($z_1$,$z_2$) interval. Note that the $A^{UL}$ and $A^{UC}$ results are strongly correlated since they are obtained by using the same data set.
We present measurements of the inclusive production of antideuterons in $e^+e^-$ annihilation into hadrons at $\approx 10.58 \mathrm{\,Ge\kern -0.1em V}$ center-of-mass energy and in $\Upsilon(1S,2S,3S)$ decays. The results are obtained using data collected by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II electron-positron collider. Assuming a fireball spectral shape for the emitted antideuteron momentum, we find $\mathcal{B}(\Upsilon(1S) \to \bar{d}X) = (2.81 \pm 0.49 \mathrm{(stat)} {}^{+0.20}_{-0.24} \mathrm{(syst)})/! \times /! 10^{-5}$, $\mathcal{B}(\Upsilon(2S) \to \bar{d}X) = (2.64 \pm 0.11 \mathrm{(stat)} {}^{+0.26}_{-0.21} \mathrm{(syst)})/! \times /! 10^{-5}$, $\mathcal{B}(\Upsilon(3S) \to \bar{d}X) = (2.33 \pm 0.15 \mathrm{(stat)} {}^{+0.31}_{-0.28} \mathrm{(syst)})/! \times /! 10^{-5}$, and $\sigma (e^+e^- \to \bar{d}X) = (9.63 \pm 0.41 \mathrm{(stat)} {}^{+1.17}_{-1.01} \mathrm{(syst)}) \mbox{\,fb}$.
The rate of antideuteron production from the decay of UPSILON(3S).
The rate of antideuteron production from the decay of UPSILON(2S).
The rate of antideuteron production from the decay of UPSILON(1S).
Inclusive production cross sections of $\pi^\pm$, $K^\pm$ and $p\bar{p}$ per hadronic $e^+e^-$ annihilation event in $e^+e^-$ are measured at a center-of-mass energy of 10.54 GeV, using a relatively small sample of very high quality data from the BaBar experiment at the PEP-II $B$-factory at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The drift chamber and Cherenkov detector provide clean samples of identified $\pi^\pm$, $K^\pm$ and $p\bar{p}$ over a wide range of momenta. Since the center-of-mass energy is below the threshold to produce a $B\bar{B}$ pair, with $B$ a bottom-quark meson, these data represent a pure $e^+e^- \rightarrow q\bar{q}$ sample with four quark flavors, and are used to test QCD predictions and hadronization models. Combined with measurements at other energies, in particular at the $Z^0$ resonance, they also provide precise constraints on the scaling properties of the hadronization process over a wide energy range.
Differential cross section for prompt PI+-, K+- and PBAR/P production.
Differential cross section for conventional PI+-, K+- and PBAR/P production.
Integrated cross sections for prompt PI+-, K+- and PBAR/P production. The second (sys) error is the uncertainty due to the model dependence of the extrapolation.
The first measurement of two-pion Bose-Einstein correlations in central Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV at the Large Hadron Collider is presented. We observe a growing trend with energy now not only for the longitudinal and the outward but also for the sideward pion source radius. The pion homogeneity volume and the decoupling time are significantly larger than those measured at RHIC.
Projections of the correlation function C.
Projections of the correlation function C.
Projections of the correlation function C.
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