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 $\cos \theta^*$.
We present the scaling properties of Lambda, Xi, Omega and their anti-particles produced at mid-rapidity in Au+Au collisions at RHIC at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV. The yield of multi-strange baryons per participant nucleon increases from peripheral to central collisions more rapidly than the Lambda yield, which appears to correspond to an increasing strange quark density of matter produced. The value of the strange phase space occupancy factor gamma_s, obtained from a thermal model fit to the data, approaches unity for the most central collisions. We also show that the nuclear modification factors, R_CP, of Lambda and Xi are consistent with each other and with that of protons in the transverse momentum range 2.0 < p_T < 5.0 GeV/c. This scaling behaviour is consistent with a scenario of hadron formation from constituent quark degrees of freedom through quark recombination or coalescence.
Transverse momentum distributions of (a) $\Lambda(\overline{\Lambda})$ for $|y|<1.0$, (b) $\Xi^{-}(\overline{\Xi}^{+})$ for $|y|<0.75$ and (c) $\Omega^{-}+\overline{\Omega}^{+}$ for $|y|<0.75$ in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ as a function of centrality. The $\Lambda$ spectra were corrected for weak decay of $\Xi$, $\Xi^{0}$ and $\Omega$. Scale factors were applied to the spectra for clarity. Only statistical errors are shown. The dashed curves show a Boltzmann fit to the $\Lambda$, $\Xi^{-}$ and $\Omega^{-}+\overline{\Omega}^{+}$ data, the fits to the $\overline{\Lambda}$ and $\overline{\Xi}^{+}$ are omitted for clarity.
Transverse momentum distributions of (a) $\Lambda(\overline{\Lambda})$ for $|y|<1.0$, (b) $\Xi^{-}(\overline{\Xi}^{+})$ for $|y|<0.75$ and (c) $\Omega^{-}+\overline{\Omega}^{+}$ for $|y|<0.75$ in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ as a function of centrality. The $\Lambda$ spectra were corrected for weak decay of $\Xi$, $\Xi^{0}$ and $\Omega$. Scale factors were applied to the spectra for clarity. Only statistical errors are shown. The dashed curves show a Boltzmann fit to the $\Lambda$, $\Xi^{-}$ and $\Omega^{-}+\overline{\Omega}^{+}$ data, the fits to the $\overline{\Lambda}$ and $\overline{\Xi}^{+}$ are omitted for clarity.
Transverse momentum distributions of (a) $\Lambda(\overline{\Lambda})$ for $|y|<1.0$, (b) $\Xi^{-}(\overline{\Xi}^{+})$ for $|y|<0.75$ and (c) $\Omega^{-}+\overline{\Omega}^{+}$ for $|y|<0.75$ in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ as a function of centrality. The $\Lambda$ spectra were corrected for weak decay of $\Xi$, $\Xi^{0}$ and $\Omega$. Scale factors were applied to the spectra for clarity. Only statistical errors are shown. The dashed curves show a Boltzmann fit to the $\Lambda$, $\Xi^{-}$ and $\Omega^{-}+\overline{\Omega}^{+}$ data, the fits to the $\overline{\Lambda}$ and $\overline{\Xi}^{+}$ are omitted for clarity.
We present the first study of the energy dependence of $p_t$ angular correlations inferred from event-wise mean transverse momentum $<p_{t} >$ fluctuations in heavy ion collisions. We compare our large-acceptance measurements at CM energies $\sqrt{s_{NN}} =$ 19.6, 62.4, 130 and 200 GeV to SPS measurements at 12.3 and 17.3 GeV. $p_t$ angular correlation structure suggests that the principal source of $p_t$ correlations and fluctuations is minijets (minimum-bias parton fragments). We observe a dramatic increase in correlations and fluctuations from SPS to RHIC energies, increasing linearly with $\ln \sqrt{s_{NN}}$ from the onset of observable jet-related $<p_{t}>$ fluctuations near 10 GeV.
Per-particle fluctuation dependence on pseudorapidity scale $\delta\eta$ in central collisions.
Per-particle fluctuation dependence on pseudorapidity scale $\delta\eta$ in central collisions.
Centrality dependence of $<p_t>$ fluctuations in the STAR acceptance for four energies. $\nu$ is the mean participant path length (please consult text).
We present the centrality dependent measurement of multiplicity and pseudorapidity distributions of charged particles and photons in Au + Au collisions at sqrt{s_NN} = 62.4 GeV. The charged particles and photons are measured in the pseudorapidity region 2.9 < eta < 3.9 and 2.3 < eta < 3.7, respectively. We have studied the scaling of particle production with the number of participating nucleons and the number of binary collisions. The photon and charged particle production in the measured pseudorapidity range has been shown to be consistent with energy independent limiting fragmentation behavior. The photons are observed to follow a centrality independent limiting fragmentation behavior while for the charged particles it is centrality dependent. We have carried out a comparative study of the pseudorapidity distributions of positively charged hadrons, negatively charged hadrons, photons, pions, net protons in nucleus--nucleus collisions and pseudorapidity distributions from p+p collisions. From these comparisons we conclude that baryons in the inclusive charged particle distribution are responsible for the observed centrality dependence of limiting fragmentation. The mesons are found to follow an energy independent behavior of limiting fragmentation while the behavior of baryons seems to be energy dependent.
(Color Online) Variation of $N_{ch}$ normalized to the number of participating nucleon pair in the FTPC coverage $(2.9 \leq \eta \leq 3.9)$ and $N_{\gamma}$ normalized to the number of participating nucleon pair in the PMD acceptance $(2.3 \leq \eta \leq 3.7)$ as a function of $N_{part}$. The lower band shows the uncertainty in the ratio due to uncertainties in $N_{part}$ calculations.
(Color Online) Variation of $N_{ch}$ normalized to the number of participating nucleon pair in the FTPC coverage $(2.9 \leq \eta \leq 3.9)$ and $N_{\gamma}$ normalized to the number of participating nucleon pair in the PMD acceptance $(2.3 \leq \eta \leq 3.7)$ as a function of $N_{part}$. The lower band shows the uncertainty in the ratio due to uncertainties in $N_{part}$ calculations.
(Color Online) Variation of $N_{ch}$ normalized to the number of collisions in the FTPC coverage $(2.9 \leq \eta \leq 3.9)$ and $N_{\gamma}$ normalized to number of collisions, in the PMD coverage $(2.3 \leq \eta \leq 3.7)$ as a function of $N_{coll}$. The lower band shows the uncertainty in the ratio due to uncertainties in $N_{coll}$ calculations.
We present the directed flow ($v_1$) measured in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}$ = 62.4 GeV in the mid-pseudorapidity region $|\eta|<1.3$ and in the forward pseudorapidity region $2.5 < |\eta| < 4.0$. The results are obtained using the three-particle cumulant method, the event plane method with mixed harmonics, and for the first time at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), the standard method with the event plane reconstructed from spectator neutrons. Results from all three methods are in good agreement. Over the pseudorapidity range studied, charged particle directed flow is in the direction opposite to that of fragmentation neutrons.
Directed flow of charged particles as a function of pseudorapidity, for centrality 10%-70%.
Directed flow of charged particles as a function of pseudorapidity, for centrality 10%-70%.
Directed flow of charged particles as a function of pseudorapidity, for centrality 10%-70%.
We present results for two-particle transverse momentum correlations, <dpt,i dpt,j>, as a function of event centrality for Au+Au collisions at sqrt(sNN) = 20, 62, 130, and 200 GeV at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. We observe correlations decreasing with centrality that are similar at all four incident energies. The correlations multiplied by the multiplicity density increase with incident energy and the centrality dependence may show evidence of processes such as thermalization, minijet production, or the saturation of transverse flow. The square root of the correlations divided by the event-wise average transverse momentum per event shows little or no beam energy dependence and generally agrees with previous measurements at the Super Proton Synchrotron.
Average transverse momentum per event for Au+Au at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 20 GeV for the 5% most central collisions.
Average transverse momentum per event for Au+Au at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 62 GeV for the 5% most central collisions.
Average transverse momentum per event for Au+Au at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 130 GeV for the 5% most central collisions.
We present the first measurement of multiplicity and pseudorapidity distributions of photons in the pseudorapidity region 2.3 $\le$ $\eta$ $\le$ 3.7 for different centralities in Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 62.4 GeV. We find that the photon yield in this pseudorapidity range scales with the number of participating nucleons at all collision centralities studied. The pseudorapidity distribution of photons, dominated by neutral pion decays, has been compared to those of identified charged pions, photons, and inclusive charged particles from heavy ion and nucleon-nucleon collisions at various energies. The photon production in the measured pseudorapidity region has been shown to be consistent with the energy and centrality independent limiting fragmentation scenario.
${dN_{\gamma}}\over{d\eta}$ for various event centrality classes compared to HIJING and AMPT model calculations.
Variation of $N_{\gamma}$ per participant pair in PMD coverage $(2.3 \leq \eta \leq 3.7)$ as a function of $N_{part}$. The lower band reflects uncertainties in $N_{part}$ calculations.
(Color Online) Estimated ${dN_{\pi^{0}}}\over{dy}$ from ${dN_{\gamma}}\over{dy}$ normalized to $N_{part}$, as compared to ${dN_{\pi^{\pm}}}\over{dy}$ normalized to $N_{part}$, as a function of $y-y_{beam}$ for central collisions at various collision energies.
Infrared and collinear safe event shape distributions and their mean values are determined in e+e- collisions at centre-of-mass energies between 45 and 202 GeV. A phenomenological analysis based on power correction models including hadron mass effects for both differential distributions and mean values is presented. Using power corrections, alpha_s is extracted from the mean values and shapes. In an alternative approach, renormalisation group invariance (RGI) is used as an explicit constraint, leading to a consistent description of mean values without the need for sizeable power corrections. The QCD beta-function is precisely measured using this approach. From the DELPHI data on Thrust, including data from low energy experiments, one finds beta_0 = 7.86 +/- 0.32 for the one loop coefficient of the beta-function or, assuming QCD, n_f = 4.75 +/- 0.44 for the number of active flavours. These values agree well with the QCD expectation of beta_0=7.67 and n_f=5. A direct measurement of the full logarithmic energy slope excludes light gluinos with a mass below 5 GeV.
1-THRUST distribution.
THRUST-MAJOR distribution.
THRUST-MINOR distribution.
Muon pair production in the process e+e- -> e+e-mu+mu- is studied using the data taken at LEP1 (sqrt(s) \simeq m_Z) with the DELPHI detector during the years 1992-1995. The corresponding integrated luminosity is 138.5 pb^{-1}. The QED predictions have been tested over the whole Q^2 range accessible at LEP1 (from several GeV^2/c^4 to several hundred GeV^2/c^4) by comparing experimental distributions with distributions resulting from Monte Carlo simulations using various generators. Selected events are used to extract the leptonic photon structure function F_2^\gamma. Azimuthal correlations are used to obtain information on additional structure functions, F_A^\gamma and F_B^\gamma, which originate from interference terms of the scattering amplitudes. The measured ratios F_A^\gamma/F_2^\gamma and F_B^\gamma/F_2^\gamma are significantly different from zero and consistent with QED predictions.
The measured QED photon structure function at Q**2 = 12.5 GeV for the combine SAT and STIC data.
The measured QED photon structure function at Q**2 = 120 GeV for the combine SAT and STIC data.
Ratio of the structure functions FA and FB to F2.
During 1993 and 1995 LEP was run at 3 energies near the Z$^0$peak in order to give improved measurements of the mass and width of the resonance. During 1994, LEP o
Hadronic cross section measured with the 1993 data. Additional systematic error of 0.10 PCT (efficiencies and backgrounds) and 0.29 PCT (absolute luminosity).
Hadronic cross section measured with the 1994 data. Additional systematic error of 0.11 PCT (efficiencies and backgrounds) and 0.11 PCT (absolute luminosity).
Hadronic cross section measured with the 1995 data. Additional systematic error of 0.10 PCT (efficiencies and backgrounds) and 0.11 PCT (absolute luminosity).
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