Rapidity-odd directed flow($v_1$) measurements for charged pions, protons and antiprotons near mid-rapidity ($y=0$) are reported in $\sqrt{s_{NN}} =$ 7.7, 11.5, 19.6, 27, 39, 62.4 and 200 GeV Au + Au collisions as recorded by the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). At intermediate impact parameters, the proton and net-proton slope parameter $dv_1/dy|_{y=0}$ shows a minimum between 11.5 and 19.6 GeV. In addition, the net-proton $dv_1/dy|_{y=0}$ changes sign twice between 7.7 and 39 GeV. The proton and net-proton results qualitatively resemble predictions of a hydrodynamic model with a first-order phase transition from hadronic matter to deconfined matter, and differ from hadronic transport calculations.
Directed flow for protons versus rapidity for central (0-10$\%$), intermediate-centrality (10-40$\%$) and peripheral (40-80$\%$) Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 39, 27, 19.6, 11.5 and 7.7 GeV. Errors are statistical only.
Directed flow for $\pi^{-}$ versus rapidity for central (0-10$\%$), intermediate-centrality (10-40$\%$) and peripheral (40-80$\%$) Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 39, 27, 19.6, 11.5 and 7.7 GeV. Errors are statistical only.
Directed flow for protons and anti-protons versus rapidity for intermediate-centrality (10-40$\%$) Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200, 62.4, 39, 27, 19.6, 11.5 and 7.7 GeV. Errors are statistical only.
We report the STAR measurements of dielectron ($e^+e^-$) production at midrapidity ($|y_{ee}|<$1) in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 200\,GeV. The measurements are evaluated in different invariant mass regions with a focus on 0.30-0.76 ($\rho$-like), 0.76-0.80 ($\omega$-like), and 0.98-1.05 ($\phi$-like) GeV/$c^{2}$. The spectrum in the $\omega$-like and $\phi$-like regions can be well described by the hadronic cocktail simulation. In the $\rho$-like region, however, the vacuum $\rho$ spectral function cannot describe the shape of the dielectron excess. In this range, an enhancement of 1.77$\pm$0.11(stat.)$\pm$0.24(sys.)$\pm$0.33(cocktail) is determined with respect to the hadronic cocktail simulation that excludes the $\rho$ meson. The excess yield in the $\rho$-like region increases with the number of collision participants faster than the $\omega$ and $\phi$ yields. Theoretical models with broadened $\rho$ contributions through interactions with constituents in the hot QCD medium provide a consistent description of the dilepton mass spectra for the measurement presented here and the earlier data at the Super Proton Synchrotron energies.
Uncorrected Distributions of e+ e- invariant mass, the reconstructed background, and the signal pairs in 200 GeV Au+Au minimum bias collisions.
The ratio of signal to background in Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{{NN}}}$ = 200 GeV (Minimum Bias).
The ratio of signal to background in Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{{NN}}}$ = 200 GeV (Central).
Measurements of the midrapidity transverse energy distribution, $d\Et/d\eta$, are presented for $p$$+$$p$, $d$$+$Au, and Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV and additionally for Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=62.4$ and 130 GeV. The $d\Et/d\eta$ distributions are first compared with the number of nucleon participants $N_{\rm part}$, number of binary collisions $N_{\rm coll}$, and number of constituent-quark participants $N_{qp}$ calculated from a Glauber model based on the nuclear geometry. For Au$+$Au, $\mean{d\Et/d\eta}/N_{\rm part}$ increases with $N_{\rm part}$, while $\mean{d\Et/d\eta}/N_{qp}$ is approximately constant for all three energies. This indicates that the two component ansatz, $dE_{T}/d\eta \propto (1-x) N_{\rm part}/2 + x N_{\rm coll}$, which has been used to represent $E_T$ distributions, is simply a proxy for $N_{qp}$, and that the $N_{\rm coll}$ term does not represent a hard-scattering component in $E_T$ distributions. The $dE_{T}/d\eta$ distributions of Au$+$Au and $d$$+$Au are then calculated from the measured $p$$+$$p$ $E_T$ distribution using two models that both reproduce the Au$+$Au data. However, while the number-of-constituent-quark-participant model agrees well with the $d$$+$Au data, the additive-quark model does not.
Et EMC distributions for sqrt(sNN) = 62.4 GeV Au+Au collisions shown in 5% wide centrality bins.
Et EMC distributions for sqrt(sNN) = 62.4 GeV Au+Au collisions shown in 5% wide centrality bins.
Et EMC distributions for sqrt(sNN) = 62.4 GeV Au+Au collisions shown in 5% wide centrality bins.
We report measurements of Upsilon meson production in p+p, d+Au, and Au+Au collisions using the STAR detector at RHIC. We compare the Upsilon yield to the measured cross section in p+p collisions in order to quantify any modifications of the yield in cold nuclear matter using d+Au data and in hot nuclear matter using Au+Au data separated into three centrality classes. Our p+p measurement is based on three times the statistics of our previous result. We obtain a nuclear modification factor for Upsilon(1S+2S+3S) in the rapidity range |y|<1 in d+Au collisions of R_dAu = 0.79 +/- 0.24 (stat.) +/- 0.03 (sys.) +/- 0.10 (pp sys.). A comparison with models including shadowing and initial state parton energy loss indicates the presence of additional cold-nuclear matter suppression. Similarly, in the top 10% most-central Au+Au collisions, we measure a nuclear modification factor of R_AA=0.49 +/- 0.1 (stat.) +/- 0.02 (sys.) +/- 0.06 (pp sys.), which is a larger suppression factor than that seen in cold nuclear matter. Our results are consistent with complete suppression of excited-state Upsilon mesons in Au+Au collisions. The additional suppression in Au+Au is consistent with the level expected in model calculations that include the presence of a hot, deconfined Quark-Gluon Plasma. However, understanding the suppression seen in d+Au is still needed before any definitive statements about the nature of the suppression in Au+Au can be made.
Invariant mass distributions of electron pairs in the region $|y_{ee}| < 0.5$, p+p.
Invariant mass distributions of electron pairs in the region $|y_{ee}| < 0.5$, d+Au.
(a) $B_{ee} \times d\sigma/dy$ vs. $y$ for p+p collisions and for d+Au collisions (scaled down by 103).
Measurements of transverse-single-spin asymmetries ($A_{N}$) in $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=$62.4 and 200 GeV with the PHENIX detector at RHIC are presented. At midrapidity, $A_{N}$ is measured for neutral pion and eta mesons reconstructed from diphoton decay, and at forward rapidities, neutral pions are measured using both diphotons and electromagnetic clusters. The neutral-pion measurement of $A_{N}$ at midrapidity is consistent with zero with uncertainties a factor of 20 smaller than previous publications, which will lead to improved constraints on the gluon Sivers function. At higher rapidities, where the valence quark distributions are probed, the data exhibit sizable asymmetries. In comparison with previous measurements in this kinematic region, the new data extend the kinematic coverage in $\sqrt{s}$ and $p_T$, and it is found that the asymmetries depend only weakly on $\sqrt{s}$. The origin of the forward $A_{N}$ is presently not understood quantitatively. The extended reach to higher $p_T$ probes the transition between transverse momentum dependent effects at low $p_T$ and multi-parton dynamics at high $p_T$.
Neutral pion $A_N$ at $\sqrt{s} = 62.4$ GeV as a function of $x_F$ in pseudorapidity $3.1 < |\eta| < 3.5$, with statistical and systematic uncertainties.
Neutral pion $A_N$ at $\sqrt{s} = 62.4$ GeV as a function of $x_F$ in pseudorapidity $3.5 < |\eta| < 3.8$, with statistical and systematic uncertainties.
Neutral pion $A_N$ at $\sqrt{s}$ = 62.4 GeV as function of transverse momentum $p_T$.
We report on a polarization measurement of inclusive $J/\psi$ mesons in the di-electron decay channel at mid-rapidity at 2 $<p_{T}<$ 6 GeV/$c$ in $p+p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 200 GeV. Data were taken with the STAR detector at RHIC. The $J/\psi$ polarization measurement should help to distinguish between different models of the $J/\psi$ production mechanism since they predict different $p_{T}$ dependences of the $J/\psi$ polarization. In this analysis, $J/\psi$ polarization is studied in the helicity frame. The polarization parameter $\lambda_{\theta}$ measured at RHIC becomes smaller towards high $p_{T}$, indicating more longitudinal $J/\psi$ polarization as $p_{T}$ increases. The result is compared with predictions of presently available models.
Uncorrected cos$\theta$ distribution after the combinatorial background subtraction for $2 < p_{T}^{J/\psi} < 3$ GeV/c
Uncorrected cos$\theta$ distribution after the combinatorial background subtraction for $3 < p_{T}^{J/\psi} < 4$ GeV/c
Uncorrected cos$\theta$ distribution after the combinatorial background subtraction for $4 < p_{T}^{J/\psi} < 6$ GeV/c
We report $e^\pm-\mu^\mp$ pair yield from charm decay measured between midrapidity electrons ($|\eta|<0.35$ and $p_T>0.5$ GeV/$c$) and forward rapidity muons ($1.4<\eta<2.1$ and $p_T>1.0$ GeV/$c$) as a function of $\Delta\phi$ in both $p$$+$$p$ and in $d$+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV. Comparing the $p$$+$$p$ results with several different models, we find the results are consistent with a total charm cross section $\sigma_{c\bar{c}} =$ 538 $\pm$ 46 (stat) $\pm$ 197 (data syst) $\pm$ 174 (model syst) $\mu$b. These generators also indicate that the back-to-back peak at $\Delta\phi = \pi$ is dominantly from the leading order contributions (gluon fusion), while higher order processes (flavor excitation and gluon splitting) contribute to the yield at all $\Delta\phi$. We observe a suppression in the pair yield per collision in $d$+Au. We find the pair yield suppression factor for $2.7<\Delta\phi<3.2$ rad is $J_{dA}$ = 0.433 $\pm$ 0.087 (stat) $\pm$ 0.135 (syst), indicating cold nuclear matter modification of $c\bar{c}$ pairs.
The fully-corrected like-sign-subtracted heavy flavor $e$-$\mu$ pair yield in $p$+$p$.
The fully corrected like-sign-subtracted heavy flavor $e$-$\mu$ pair yield in $d$+Au.
$J_{dA}$ plotted as a function of $\Delta\phi$.
A measurement of the transverse momentum spectra of jets in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76$ TeV is reported. Jets are reconstructed from charged particles using the anti-$k_{\rm T}$ jet algorithm with jet resolution parameters $R$ of $0.2$ and $0.3$ in pseudo-rapidity $|\eta|<0.5$. The transverse momentum $p_{\rm T}$ of charged particles is measured down to $0.15$ GeV/$c$ which gives access to the low $p_{\rm T}$ fragments of the jet. Jets found in heavy-ion collisions are corrected event-by-event for average background density and on an inclusive basis (via unfolding) for residual background fluctuations and detector effects. A strong suppression of jet production in central events with respect to peripheral events is observed. The suppression is found to be similar to the suppression of charged hadrons, which suggests that substantial energy is radiated at angles larger than the jet resolution parameter $R=0.3$ considered in the analysis. The fragmentation bias introduced by selecting jets with a high $p_{\rm T}$ leading particle, which rejects jets with a soft fragmentation pattern, has a similar effect on the jet yield for central and peripheral events. The ratio of jet spectra with $R=0.2$ and $R=0.3$ is found to be similar in Pb-Pb and simulated PYTHIA pp events, indicating no strong broadening of the radial jet structure in the reconstructed jets with $R<0.3$.
Average values of the number of participating nucleons (Npart), number of binary collisions (Ncoll), and the nuclear overlap function (TAA) for the centrality intervals used in the jet analysis.
Charged jet spectra using two cone radius parameters R = 0.2 and 0.3 and a leading track selection of pT > 0.15 GeV, for centrality 0-10%. The two systematic uncertainties correspond to the shape uncertainty and the correlated uncertainty.
Charged jet spectra using two cone radius parameters R = 0.2 and 0.3 and a leading track selection of pT > 0.15 GeV, for centrality 10-30%. The two systematic uncertainties correspond to the shape uncertainty and the correlated uncertainty.
High-energy proton- and deuteron-nucleus collisions provide an excellent tool for studying a wide array of physics effects, including modifications of parton distribution functions in nuclei, gluon saturation, and color neutralization and hadronization in a nuclear environment, among others. All of these effects are expected to have a significant dependence on the size of the nuclear target and the impact parameter of the collision, also known as the collision centrality. In this article, we detail a method for determining centrality classes in p(d)+A collisions via cuts on the multiplicity at backward rapidity (i.e., the nucleus-going direction) and for determining systematic uncertainties in this procedure. For d+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV we find that the connection to geometry is confirmed by measuring the fraction of events in which a neutron from the deuteron does not interact with the nucleus. As an application, we consider the nuclear modification factors R_{p(d)+A}, for which there is a potential bias in the measured centrality dependent yields due to auto-correlations between the process of interest and the backward rapidity multiplicity. We determine the bias correction factor within this framework. This method is further tested using the HIJING Monte Carlo generator. We find that for d+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV, these bias corrections are small and vary by less than 5% (10%) up to p_T = 10 (20) GeV. In contrast, for p+Pb collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 5.02 TeV we find these bias factors are an order of magnitude larger and strongly p_T dependent, likely due to the larger effect of multi-parton interactions.
Different physical quantities characterizing $d$+Au collisions, and the bias-factor corrections, for nine PHENIX centrality bins.
Different physical quantities characterizing $d$+Au collisions, and the bias-factor corrections, for nine PHENIX centrality bins.
Different physical quantities characterizing $d$+Au collisions, and the bias-factor corrections, for four PHENIX centrality bins.
The $\jpsi$ $\pt$ spectrum and nuclear modification factor ($\raa$) are reported for $\pt < 5 \ \gevc$ and $|y|<1$ from 0\% to 60\% central Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at $\snn = 200 \ \gev$ at STAR. A significant suppression of $\pt$-integrated $\jpsi$ production is observed in central Au+Au events. The Cu+Cu data are consistent with no suppression, although the precision is limited by the available statistics. $\raa$ in Au+Au collisions exhibits a strong suppression at low transverse momentum and gradually increases with $\pt$. The data are compared to high-$\pt$ STAR results and previously published BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider results. Comparing with model calculations, it is found that the invariant yields at low $\pt$ are significantly above hydrodynamic flow predictions but are consistent with models that include color screening and regeneration.
The invariant yield versus transverse momentum for |y| < 1 in 0-20% centrality in Au+Au collisions (solid circles). The results are compared to high-$p_T$ (3 < $p_T$ < 10 GeV/c) results from STAR [9] (solid squares) and PHENIX data [8] (open squares).
The invariant yield versus transverse momentum for |y| < 1 in 20-40% centrality in Au+Au collisions (solid circles). The results are compared to high-$p_T$ (3 < $p_T$ < 10 GeV/c) results from STAR [9] (solid squares) and PHENIX data [8] (open squares).
The invariant yield versus transverse momentum for |y| < 1 in 40-60% centrality in Au+Au collisions (solid circles). The results are compared to high-$p_T$ (3 < $p_T$ < 10 GeV/c) results from STAR [9] (solid squares) and PHENIX data [8] (open squares).
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