This paper reports the first measurement of the transverse momentum ($p_{\mathrm{T}}$) spectra of primary charged pions, kaons, (anti)protons, and unidentified particles as a function of the charged-particle flattenicity in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV. Flattenicity is a novel event shape observable that is measured in the pseudorapidity intervals covered by the V0 detector, $2.8<\eta<5.1$ and $-3.7<\eta<-1.7$. According to QCD-inspired phenomenological models, it shows sensitivity to multiparton interactions and is less affected by biases toward larger $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ due to local multiplicity fluctuations in the V0 acceptance than multiplicity. The analysis is performed in minimum-bias (MB) as well as in high-multiplicity events up to $p_{\mathrm{T}}=20$ GeV/$c$. The event selection requires at least one charged particle produced in the pseudorapidity interval $|\eta|<1$. The measured $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ distributions, average $p_{\mathrm{T}}$, kaon-to-pion and proton-to-pion particle ratios, presented in this paper, are compared to model calculations using PYTHIA 8 based on color strings and EPOS LHC. The modification of the $p_{\mathrm{T}}$-spectral shapes in low-flattenicity events that have large event activity with respect to those measured in MB events develops a pronounced peak at intermediate $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ ($2<p_{\mathrm{T}}<8$ GeV/$c$), and approaches the vicinity of unity at higher $p_{\mathrm{T}}$. The results are qualitatively described by PYTHIA, and they show different behavior than those measured as a function of charged-particle multiplicity based on the V0M estimator.
Transverse momentum spectrum of $\pi^{+} + \pi^{-}$ measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) in INEL>0 pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV for different flattenicity event classes selected with the V0M estimator at forward rapidity (top figure, upper panel)
Transverse momentum spectrum of $K^{+} + K^{-}$ measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) in INEL>0 pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV for different flattenicity event classes selected with the V0M estimator at forward rapidity (top figure, upper panel)
Transverse momentum spectrum of $p + \overline{p}$ measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) in INEL>0 pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV for different flattenicity event classes selected with the V0M estimator at forward rapidity (top figure, upper panel)
The production yields of antideuterons and antiprotons are measured in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV, as a function of transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) and rapidity ($y$), for the first time rapidity-differentially up to $|y|= 0.7$. The measured spectra are used to study the $p_{\rm T}$ and rapidity dependence of the coalescence parameter $B_2$, which quantifies the coalescence probability of antideuterons. The $p_{\rm T}$ and rapidity dependence of the obtained $B_2$ is extrapolated for $p_{\rm T}> 1.7$ GeV/$c$ and $|y|>0.7$ using the phenomenological antideuteron production model implemented in PYTHIA 8.3 as well as a baryon coalescence afterburner model based on EPOS 3. Such measurements are of interest to the astrophysics community, since they can be used for the calculation of the flux of antinuclei from cosmic rays, in combination with coalescence models.
Transverse momentum spectra of antideuterons measured in pp collisions at centre-of-mass per nucleon-nucleon energy of 13 TeV, as shown in Fig. 1 (right panel). Rapidity interval 0 to 0.1.
Transverse momentum spectra of antideuterons measured in pp collisions at centre-of-mass per nucleon-nucleon energy of 13 TeV, as shown in Fig. 1 (right panel). Rapidity interval 0.1 to 0.2.
Transverse momentum spectra of antideuterons measured in pp collisions at centre-of-mass per nucleon-nucleon energy of 13 TeV, as shown in Fig. 1 (right panel). Rapidity interval 0.2 to 0.3.
Measurements of (anti)deuteron and (anti)$^3$He production in the rapidity range $ |y| < $ 0.5 as a function of the transverse momentum and event multiplicity in Xe$-$Xe collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon$-$nucleon pair of $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.44 TeV are presented. The coalescence parameters $B_2$ and $B_3$ are measured as a function of the transverse momentum per nucleon. The ratios between (anti)deuteron and (anti)$^3$He yields and those of (anti)protons and pions are reported as a function of the mean charged-particle multiplicity density, and compared with two implementations of the statistical hadronization model and with coalescence predictions. The elliptic flow of (anti)deuterons is measured for the first time in Xe$-$Xe collisions and shows features similar to those already observed in Pb$-$Pb collisions, i.e., the mass ordering at low transverse momentum and the meson$-$baryon grouping at intermediate transverse momentum. The production of nuclei is particularly sensitive to the chemical freeze-out temperature of the system created in the collision, which is extracted from a grand-canonical-ensemble-based thermal fit, performed for the first time including light nuclei along with light-flavor hadrons in Xe$-$Xe collisions. The extracted chemical freeze-out temperature $T_{\rm chem}$ = (154.2 $\pm$ 1.1) MeV in Xe$-$Xe collisions is similar to that observed in Pb$-$Pb collisions and close to the crossover temperature predicted by lattice quantum chromodynamics calculations.
Transverse momentum spectra of 3He nuclei measured in Xe--Xe collisions at centre-of-mass per nucleon-nucleon energy of 5.44 TeV, as shown in Fig. 3 (right panel).
Transverse momentum spectra of deuterons measured in Xe--Xe collisions at centre-of-mass per nucleon-nucleon energy of 5.44 TeV, as shown in Fig. 3 (left panel). Centrality class 0 to 10 percent.
Transverse momentum spectra of deuterons measured in Xe--Xe collisions at centre-of-mass per nucleon-nucleon energy of 5.44 TeV, as shown in Fig. 3 (left panel). Centrality class 10 to 20 percent.
The first measurements of $\mathrm{K^{*}(892)^{0}}$ resonance production as a function of charged-particle multiplicity in Xe$-$Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=$ 5.44 TeV and pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=$ 5.02 TeV using the ALICE detector are presented. The resonance is reconstructed at midrapidity ($|y|< 0.5$) using the hadronic decay channel $\mathrm{K^{*0}} \rightarrow \mathrm{K^{\pm} \pi^{\mp}}$. Measurements of transverse-momentum integrated yield, mean transverse-momentum, nuclear modification factor of $\mathrm{K^{*0}}$, and yield ratios of resonance to stable hadron ($\mathrm{K^{*0}}$/K) are compared across different collision systems (pp, p$-$Pb, Xe$-$Xe, and Pb$-$Pb) at similar collision energies to investigate how the production of $\mathrm{K^{*0}}$ resonances depends on the size of the system formed in these collisions. The hadronic rescattering effect is found to be independent of the size of colliding systems and mainly driven by the produced charged-particle multiplicity, which is a proxy of the volume of produced matter at the chemical freeze-out. In addition, the production yields of $\mathrm{K^{*0}}$ in Xe$-$Xe collisions are utilized to constrain the dependence of the kinetic freeze-out temperature on the system size using HRG-PCE model.
$p_{\rm T}$-distributions of $\rm{K}^{*}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson measured in pp collisions at \sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV for 0-1\% multiplicity class.
$p_{\rm T}$-distributions of $\rm{K}^{*}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson measured in pp collisions at \sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV for 1-5\% multiplicity class.
$p_{\rm T}$-distributions of $\rm{K}^{*}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson measured in pp collisions at \sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV for 5-10\% multiplicity class.
The production of K$^*$(892)$^\pm$ meson resonance is measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV using the ALICE detector at the LHC. The resonance is reconstructed via its hadronic decay channel K$^*$(892)$^\pm \rightarrow \rm{K^0_S \pi^\pm}$. The transverse momentum distributions are obtained for various centrality intervals in the $p_{\rm T}$ range of 0.4-16 GeV/$c$. The reported measurements of integrated yields, mean transverse momenta, and particle yield ratios are consistent with previous ALICE measurements for K$^*$(892)$^0$. The $p_{\rm T}$-integrated yield ratio 2K$^*$(892)$^\pm$/($\rm{K^+ + K^-}$) in central Pb-Pb collisions shows a significant suppression (9.3$\sigma$) relative to pp collisions. Thermal model calculations overpredict the particle yield ratio. Although both simulations consider the hadronic phase, only HRG-PCE accurately represents the measurements, whereas MUSIC+SMASH tends to overpredict them. These observations, along with the kinetic freeze-out temperatures extracted from the yields of light-flavored hadrons using the HRG-PCE model, indicate a finite hadronic phase lifetime, which increases towards central collisions. The $p_{\rm T}$-differential yield ratios 2K$^*$(892)$^\pm$/($\rm{K^+ + K^-}$) and 2K$^*$(892)$^\pm$/($\rm{\pi^+ + \pi^-}$) are suppressed by up to a factor of five at $p_{\rm T}<2$ GeV/$c$ in central Pb-Pb collisions compared to pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} =$ 5.02 TeV. Both particle ratios and are qualitatively consistent with expectations for rescattering effects in the hadronic phase. The nuclear modification factor shows a smooth evolution with centrality and is below unity at $p_{\rm T}>8$ GeV/$c$, consistent with measurements for other light-flavored hadrons. The smallest values are observed in most central collisions, indicating larger energy loss of partons traversing the dense medium.
$p_{\rm T}$-distributions of $\rm{K}^{*}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson measured in Pb-Pb collisions at \sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV for 0-10\% centrality.
$p_{\rm T}$-distributions of $\rm{K}^{*}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson measured in Pb-Pb collisions at \sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV for 10-20\% centrality.
$p_{\rm T}$-distributions of $\rm{K}^{*}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson measured in Pb-Pb collisions at \sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV for 20-40\% centrality.
The transverse-momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) spectra and coalescence parameters $B_2$ of (anti)deuterons are measured in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV for the first time in and out of jets. In this measurement, the direction of the leading particle with the highest $p_{\rm T}$ in the event ($p_{\rm T}^{\rm{ lead}} > 5$ GeV/$c$) is used as an approximation for the jet axis. The event is consequently divided into three azimuthal regions and the jet signal is obtained as the difference between the Toward region, that contains jet fragmentation products in addition to the underlying event (UE), and the Transverse region, which is dominated by the UE. The coalescence parameter in the jet is found to be approximately a factor of 10 larger than that in the underlying event. This experimental observation is consistent with the coalescence picture and can be attributed to the smaller average phase-space distance between nucleons inside the jet cone as compared to the underlying event. The results presented in this Letter are compared to predictions from a simple nucleon coalescence model, where the phase space distributions of nucleons are generated using PYTHIA 8 with the Monash 2013 tuning, and to predictions from a deuteron production model based on ordinary nuclear reactions with parametrized energy-dependent cross sections tuned on data. The latter model is implemented in PYTHIA 8.3. Both models reproduce the observed large difference between in-jet and out-of-jet coalescence parameters, although the almost flat trend of the $B^{\rm Jet}_2$ is not reproduced by the models, which instead give a decreasing trend.
Transverse momentum spectra for the transverse azimuthal regions. Events with a leading track with PT>5 GEV at midrapidity are selected. The spectrum is shown in Figure 1 (left panel).
Transverse momentum spectra for the toward azimuthal regions. Events with a leading track with PT>5 GEV at midrapidity are selected. The spectrum is shown in Figure 1 (left panel).
Transverse momentum spectra for the away azimuthal regions. Events with a leading track with PT>5 GEV at midrapidity are selected. The spectrum is shown in Figure 1 (left panel).
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.
The production of $\pi^{\pm}$, $\rm{K}^{\pm}$, $\rm{K}^{0}_{S}$, $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$, $\rm{p}$, $\phi(1020)$, $\Lambda$, $\Xi^{-}$, $\Omega^{-}$, and their antiparticles was measured in inelastic proton-proton (pp) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) as a function of transverse momentum ($p_{\rm{T}}$) using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. Furthermore, the single-particle $p_{\rm{T}}$ distributions of $\rm{K}^{0}_{S}$, $\Lambda$, and $\overline{\Lambda}$ in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV are reported here for the first time. The $p_{\rm{T}}$ distributions are studied at midrapidity within the transverse momentum range $0\leq p_{\rm{T}}\leq20$ GeV/$c$, depending on the particle species. The $p_{\rm{T}}$ spectra, integrated yields, and particle yield ratios are discussed as a function of collision energy and compared with measurements at lower $\sqrt{s}$ and with results from various general-purpose QCD-inspired Monte Carlo models. A hardening of the spectra at high $p_{\rm{T}}$ with increasing collision energy is observed, which is similar for all particle species under study. The transverse mass and $x_{\rm{T}}\equiv2p_{\rm{T}}/\sqrt{s}$ scaling properties of hadron production are also studied. As the collision energy increases from $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 to 13 TeV, the yields of non- and single-strange hadrons normalized to the pion yields remain approximately constant as a function of $\sqrt{s}$, while ratios for multi-strange hadrons indicate enhancements. The $p_{\rm{T}}$-differential cross sections of $\pi^{\pm}$, $\rm{K}^{\pm}$ and $\rm{p}$ ($\overline{\rm{p}}$) are compared with next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations, which are found to overestimate the cross sections for $\pi^{\pm}$ and $\rm{p}$ ($\overline{\rm{p}}$) at high $p_{\rm{T}}$.
Transverse momentum spectrum of $\pi^{+} + \pi^{-}$ measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV. The normalization uncertainty of $\pm2.6\%$ is excluded.
Transverse momentum spectrum of $K^{+} + K^{-}$ measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV. The normalization uncertainty of $\pm2.6\%$ is excluded.
Transverse momentum spectrum of $K^{0}_{S}$ measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV. The normalization uncertainty of $\pm2.6\%$ is excluded.
Inclusive J/$\psi$ yields and average transverse momenta in p-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 8.16 TeV are measured as a function of the charged-particle pseudorapidity density with ALICE. The J/$\psi$ mesons are reconstructed at forward $(2.03 < y_{\rm cms} < 3.53)$ and backward ($-4.46 < y_{\rm cms} < -2.96$) center-of-mass rapidity in their dimuon decay channel while the charged-particle pseudorapidity density is measured around midrapidity. The J/$\psi$ yields at forward and backward rapidity normalized to their respective average values increase with the normalized charged-particle pseudorapidity density, the former showing a weaker increase than the latter. The normalized average transverse momenta at forward and backward rapidity manifest a steady increase from low to high charged-particle pseudorapidity density with a saturation beyond the average value.
Relative yield of inclusive J/psi as a function of relative charged-particle pseudorapidity density at forward rapidity 2.03 < y_cms < 3.53 (p-going direction).
Relative yield of inclusive J/psi as a function of relative charged-particle pseudorapidity density at backward rapidity -4.46 < y_cms < -2.96 (Pb-going direction).
Mean transverse momentum of inclusive J/psi as a function of the relative charged-particle pseudorapidity density at forward rapidity 2.03 < y_cms < 3.53 (p-going direction).
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 $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.02$