Background: Heavy-flavor production in p+p collisions tests perturbative-quantum-chromodynamics (pQCD) calculations. Modification of heavy-flavor production in heavy-ion collisions relative to binary-collision scaling from p+p results, quantified with the nuclear-modification factor (R_AA), provides information on both cold- and hot-nuclear-matter effects. Purpose: Determine transverse-momentum, pt, spectra and the corresponding R_AA for muons from heavy-flavor mesons decay in p+p and Cu+Cu collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV and y=1.65. Method: Results are obtained using the semi-leptonic decay of heavy-flavor mesons into negative muons. The PHENIX muon-arm spectrometers measure the p_T spectra of inclusive muon candidates. Backgrounds, primarily due to light hadrons, are determined with a Monte-Carlo calculation using a set of input hadron distributions tuned to match measured-hadron distributions in the same detector and statistically subtracted. Results: The charm-production cross section in p+p collisions at sqrt{s}=200 GeV, integrated over pt and in the rapidity range 1.4<y<1.9 is found to be dsigma_ccbar/dy = 0.139 +/- 0.029 (stat) ^{+0.051}_{-0.058} (syst) mb. This result is consistent with calculations and with expectations based on the corresponding midrapidity charm-production cross section measured earlier by PHENIX. The R_AA for heavy-flavor muons in Cu+Cu collisions is measured in three centrality intervals for 1<pt<4 GeV/c. Suppression relative to binary-collision scaling (R_AA<1) increases with centrality. Conclusions: Within experimental and theoretical uncertainties, the measured heavy-flavor yield in p+p collisions is consistent with state-of-the-art pQCD calculations. Suppression in central Cu+Cu collisions suggests the presence of significant cold-nuclear-matter effects and final-state energy loss.
Production cross section of negative muons from heavy-flavor mesons decay as a function of $p_T$ in $p$+$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=200$ GeV.
Invariant production yields of negative muons from heavy-flavor-mesons decay as a function $p_T$ in Cu+Cu collisions for three different centrality intervals (40-94%, 20-40%, and 0-20%), scaled by powers of ten for clarity. The solid line associated to each set of points corresponds to a fit to the $p$+$p$ invariant yield distribution described in the text, scaled by the appropriate number of binary collisions $N_{coll}$ when comparing to the Cu+Cu measurements.
Invariant production yields of negative muons from heavy-flavor-mesons decay as a function $p_T$ in $p$+$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=200$ GeV. The solid line associated to each set of points corresponds to a fit to the $p$+$p$ invariant yield distribution described in the text, scaled by the appropriate number of binary collisions $N_{coll}$ when comparing to the Cu+Cu measurements.
The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) has measured omega meson production via leptonic and hadronic decay channels in p+p, d+Au, Cu+Cu, and Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV. The invariant transverse momentum spectra measured in different decay modes give consistent results. Measurements in the hadronic decay channel in Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions show that omega production has a suppression pattern at high transverse momentum, similar to that of pi^0 and eta in central collisions, but no suppression is observed in peripheral collisions. The nuclear modification factors, R_AA, are consistent in Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at similar numbers of participant nucleons.
Invariant transverse momentum spectra of $\omega$ production in $p$+$p$ and $d$+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=200 GeV.
Invariant transverse momentum spectra of $\omega$ production in $p$+$p$ and $d$+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=200 GeV.
Invariant transverse momentum spectra of $\omega$ production in $p$+$p$ and $d$+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=200 GeV.
Transverse momentum distributions and yields for $\pi^{\pm}$, $K^{\pm}$, $p$ and $\bar{p}$ in $p+p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=200 and 62.4 GeV at midrapidity are measured by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). These data provide important baseline spectra for comparisons with identified particle spectra in heavy ion collisions at RHIC. We present the inverse slope parameter $T_{\rm inv}$, mean transverse momentum $<p_T>$ and yield per unit rapidity $dN/dy$ at each energy, and compare them to other measurements at different $\sqrt{s}$ in $p+p$ and $p+\bar{p}$ collisions. We also present the scaling properties such as $m_T$ scaling, $x_T$ scaling on the $p_T$ spectra between different energies. To discuss the mechanism of the particle production in $p+p$ collisions, the measured spectra are compared to next-to-leading-order or next-to-leading-logarithmic perturbative quantum chromodynamics calculations.
Invariant cross sections for inclusive PI+ and PI- production in P P collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 200 GeV. There is an additional normalization uncertainty of 9.7 PCT.
Invariant cross sections for inclusive K+ and K- production in P P collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 200 GeV. There is an additional normalization uncertainty of 9.7 PCT.
Invariant cross sections for inclusive P and PBAR production in P P collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 200 GeV with feed-down weak decay corrections NOT applied. There is an additional normalization uncertainty of 9.7 PCT.
We report on event structure and double helicity asymmetry ($A_LL$) of jet production in longitudinally polarized p+p collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=200 GeV. Photons and charged particles were measured at midrapidity $|\eta| < 0.35$ with the requirement of a high-momentum ($>2$ GeV/$c$) photon in each event. Measured event structure is compared with {\sc pythia} and {\sc geant} simulations. The shape of jets and the underlying event were well reproduced at this collision energy. For the measurement of jet $A_{LL}$, photons and charged particles were clustered with a seed-cone algorithm to obtain the cluster $p_T$ sum ($p_T^{\rm reco}$). The effect of detector response and the underlying events on $p_T^{\rm reco}$ was evaluated with the simulation. The production rate of reconstructed jets is satisfactorily reproduced with the NLO pQCD jet production cross section. For $4 < p_T^{\rm reco} < 12$ GeV/$c$ with an average beam polarization of $< P > = 49%$ we measured $A_{LL} = -0.0014 \pm 0.0037^{\rm stat}$ at the lowest $p_T^{\rm reco}$ bin (4-5 GeV/$c$) and $-0.0181 \pm 0.0282^{\rm stat}$ at the highest $p_T^{\rm reco}$ bin (10-12 GeV/$c$) with a beam polarization scale error of 9.4% and a $\pT$ scale error of 10%. Jets in the measured $p_T^{\rm reco}$ range arise primarily from hard-scattered gluons with momentum fraction $0.02 < x < 0.3$ according to {\sc pythia}. The measured $A_{LL}$ is compared with predictions that assume various $\Delta G(x)$ distributions based on the GRSV parameterization. The present result imposes the limit $-1.1 < \int_{0.02}^{0.3}dx \Delta G(x, \mu^2 = 1 {\rm GeV}^2) < 0.4$ at 95% confidence level or $\int_{0.02}^{0.3}dx \Delta G(x, \mu^2 = 1 {\rm GeV}^2) < 0.5$ at 99% confidence level.
The relative yields of $q$+$q$, $q$+$g$, and $g$+$g$ subprocesses in the PYTHIA+GEANT simulation.
The correction factor $\epsilon^j_{trig+acc}$ for high-$p_T$ photon trigger efficiency and acceptance effect.
Reconstructed-jet $A_{LL}$ as a function of $p_T^{reco}$.
Measurements of double-helicity asymmetries for inclusive hadron production in polarized p+p collisions are sensitive to helicity--dependent parton distribution functions, in particular to the gluon helicity distribution, Delta(g). This study focuses on the extraction of the double-helicity asymmetry in eta production: polarized p+p --> eta + X, the eta cross section, and the eta/pi^0 cross section ratio. The cross section and ratio measurements provide essential input for the extraction of fragmentation functions that are needed to access the helicity-dependent parton distribution functions.
Cross section for midrapidity inclusive of $\eta$ productions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 200 GeV as a function of $p_T$ and its comparison to NLO pQCD calculations at three different scales $\mu$. The error bars shown are the statistical and systematic uncertainties added in quadrature. Note that the fragmentation functions used in the calculations are partially constrained by this data.
Cross section ratio for the midrapidity production of inclusive $\eta$ to $\pi^0$ mesons at $\sqrt{s}$ = 200 GeV as a function of $p_T$. The error bars show the statistical and systematic uncertainties added in quadrature. The solid curve shows the ratio of the NLO pQCD calculations shown in Fig. 3 and the corresponding one for the $\pi^0$. The dashed curve shows the result of a PYTHIA Monte-Carlo simulation.
Double helicity asymmetry for midrapidity inclusive $\eta$ production from the combined 2005 and 2006 data at $\sqrt{s}$ = 200 GeV as a function of $p_T$. An additional 4.8% systematic uncertainty in the beam polarizations is not shown.
Correlations of charged hadrons of 1 < pT < 10 GeV/c with high pT direct photons and pi^ 0 mesons in the range 5 <pT < 15 GeV/c are used to study jet fragmentation in the photon+jet and di-jet channels, respectively. The magnitude of the partonic transverse momentum, kT, is obtained by comparing to a model incorporating a Gaussian kT smearing. The sensitivity of the associated charged hadron spectra to the underlying fragmentation function is tested and the data are compared to calculations using recent global fit results. The shape of the direct photon-associated hadron spectrum as well as its charge asymmetry are found to be consistent with a sample dominated by quark-gluon Compton scattering. No significant evidence of fragmentation photon correlated production is observed within experimental uncertainties.
Away-side charged hadron yield per π 0 trigger as a function of xE, which is equivalent to zT in the collinear limit cos(∆φ) = 1 & Away-side isolated direct photon trigger as a function of xE, which is equivalent to zT in the collinear limit cos(∆φ) = 1.
Away-side charged hadron yield per π 0 trigger as a function of xE, which is equivalent to zT in the collinear limit cos(∆φ) = 1 & Away-side isolated direct photon trigger as a function of xE, which is equivalent to zT in the collinear limit cos(∆φ) = 1.
Away-side charged hadron yield per π 0 trigger as a function of xE, which is equivalent to zT in the collinear limit cos(∆φ) = 1 & Away-side isolated direct photon trigger as a function of xE, which is equivalent to zT in the collinear limit cos(∆φ) = 1.
The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has measured the invariant differential cross section for production of K^0_S , \omega, \eta prime, and \phi mesons in p + p collisions at = 200 GeV. Measurements \omega and \phi production in different decay channels give consistent results. New results for the \phi are in agreement with previously published data and extend the measured pT coverage. The spectral shapes of all hadron transverse momentum distributions measured by PHENIX are well described by a Tsallis distribution functional form with only two parameters, n and T, determining the high-pT and characterizing the low-pT regions of the spectra, respectively. The values of these parameters are very similar for all analyzed meson spectra, but with a lower parameter T extracted for protons. The integrated invariant cross sections calculated from the fitted distributions are found to be consistent with existing measurements and with statistical model predictions.
Parameters of the Tsallis fit with Eq. 8 in the paper with all parameters free to vary. Cross sections are in $\mu$b for $J/\psi$ and $\psi^{\prime}$ and in mb for all other particles.
Parameters of the power law fit with Eq. 3 in the paper. Units of $A$ are mb(GeV/$c$)$^{\upsilon + 2}$.
Constant and linear fits to the power law and Tsallis fit parameters. The last column (Prob.) gives the probability estimated by the $\chi^2$/$n.d.f.$ of the fit.
Transverse momentum (p^e_T) spectra of electrons from semileptonic weak decays of heavy flavor mesons in the range of 0.3 < p^e_T < 9.0 GeV/c have been measured at mid-rapidity (|eta| < 0.35) by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider in p+p and Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV. The nuclear modification factor R_AA with respect to p+p collisions indicates substantial energy loss of heavy quarks in the produced medium. In addition, the azimuthal anisotropy parameter v_2 has been measured for 0.3 < p^e_T < 5.0 GeV/c in Au+Au collisions. Comparisons of R_AA and v_2 are made to various model calculations.
Charm cross section per $N$+$N$ collision in centrality bins in Au+Au and $p$+$p$. $T_{AA}$ is the nuclear overlap integral of the centrality.
Charm cross section per $N$+$N$ collision in centrality bins in Au+Au and $p$+$p$. $T_{AA}$ is the nuclear overlap integral of the centrality.
Heavy-flavor $e^{\pm}$ $v_2$ from Au+Au collisions, for the centralities indicated.
The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) has performed systematic measurements of phi meson production in the K+K- decay channel at midrapidity in p+p, d+Au, Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at sqrt(S_NN)=200 GeV. Results are presented on the phi invariant yield and the nuclear modification factor R_AA for Au+Au and Cu+Cu, and R_dA for d+Au collisions, studied as a function of transverse momentum (1<p_T<7 GeV/c) and centrality. In central and mid-central Au+Au collisions, the R_AA of phi exhibits a suppression relative to expectations from binary scaled p+p results. The amount of suppression is smaller than that of the neutral pion and the eta meson in the intermediate p_T range (2--5 GeV/c); whereas at higher p_T the phi, pi^0, and eta show similar suppression. The baryon (protons and anti-protons) excess observed in central Au+Au collisions at intermediate p_T is not observed for the phi meson despite the similar mass of the proton and the phi. This suggests that the excess is linked to the number of constituent quarks rather than the hadron mass. The difference gradually disappears with decreasing centrality and for peripheral collisions the R_AA values for both particles are consistent with binary scaling. Cu+Cu collisions show the same yield and suppression as Au+Au collisions for the same number of N_part. The R_dA of phi shows no evidence for cold nuclear effects within uncertainties.
Invariant $p_T$ spectra of the $\phi$ meson for different centrality bins in Au+Au, Cu+Cu, $d$+Au, and $p$+$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV.
$R_{AA}$ vs. $p_T$ for $\phi$ in central Au+Au collisions, $R_{AA}$ vs. $p_T$ for $\phi$ and $\pi^0$ in 10-20% mid-central Au+Au collisions, and $R_{AA}$ vs. $p_T$ for $\phi$ and $p$+$\bar{p}$ in 60-92% and for $\pi^0$ in 80-92% peripheral Au+Au collisions. The global uncertainty of ~ 10% related to the $p$+$p$ reference normalization is not shown.
$R_{AA}$ vs. $p_T$ for $\phi$ for 30-40% centrality Au+Au and 0-10% centrality Cu+Cu collisions, and $R_{AA}$ vs. $p_T$ for $\phi$ and $\pi^0$ for 40-50% centrality Au+Au and 10-20% centrality Cu+Cu collisions. The global uncertainty of ~ 10% related to the $p$+$p$ reference normalization is not shown.
PHENIX has measured the e^+e^- pair continuum in sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV Au+Au and p+p collisions over a wide range of mass and transverse momenta. The e^+e^- yield is compared to the expectations from hadronic sources, based on PHENIX measurements. In the intermediate mass region, between the masses of the phi and the J/psi meson, the yield is consistent with expectations from correlated c^bar-c production, though other mechanisms are not ruled out. In the low mass region (below the phi) the p+p inclusive mass spectrum is well described by known contributions from light meson decays. In contrast, the Au+Au minimum bias inclusive mass spectrum in this region shows an enhancement by a factor of 4.7+/-0.4(stat)+/-1.5(syst)+/-0.9(model) At low mass (m_ee<0.3 GeV/c^2) and high p_T (1<p_T<5 GeV/c) an enhanced e^+e^- pair yield is observed that is consistent with production of virtual direct photons. This excess is used to infer the yield of real direct photons. In central Au+Au collisions, the excess of the direct photon yield over the p+p is exponential in p_T, with inverse slope T=221+/-19(stat)+/-19(syst) MeV. Hydrodynamical models with initial temperatures ranging from T_init ~=300--600 MeV at times of 0.6--0.15 fm/c after the collision are in qualitative agreement with the direct photon data in Au+Au. For low p_T<1 GeV/c the low mass region shows a further significant enhancement that increases with centrality and has an inverse slope of T ~=100 MeV. Theoretical models under predict the low mass, low p_T enhancement.
(Color online) Inclusive mass spectrum of $e^+e^-$ pairs in the PHENIX acceptance in $p$+$p$ collisions compared to the expectations from the decays of light hadrons and correlated decays of charm, bottom, and Drell-Yan. The contribution from hadron decays is independently normalized based on meson measurements in PHENIX. The bottom panel shows the ratio of data to the cocktail of known sources. The systematic uncertainties of the data are shown as boxes, while the uncertainty on the cocktail is shown as band around 1.
(Color online) Inclusive mass spectrum of $e^+e^-$ pairs in the PHENIX acceptance in minimum-bias Au+Au compared to expectations from the decays of light hadrons and correlated decays of charm, bottom, and Drell-Yan. The charm contribution expected if the dynamic correlation of $c$ and $\bar{c}$ is removed is shown separately. Statistical (bars) and systematic (boxes) uncertainties are shown separately. The contribution from hadron decays is independently normalized based on meson measurements in PHENIX. The bottom panel shows the ratio of data to the cocktail of known sources. The systematic uncertainties of the data are shown as boxes, while the uncertainty on the cocktail is shown as band around 1.
(Color online) Inclusive mass spectrum of $e^+e^-$ pairs in the PHENIX acceptance in minimum-bias Au+Au compared to expectations from the decays of light hadrons and correlated decays of charm, bottom, and Drell-Yan. The charm contribution expected if the dynamic correlation of $c$ and $\bar{c}$ is removed is shown separately. Statistical (bars) and systematic (boxes) uncertainties are shown separately. The contribution from hadron decays is independently normalized based on meson measurements in PHENIX. The bottom panel shows the ratio of data to the cocktail of known sources. The systematic uncertainties of the data are shown as boxes, while the uncertainty on the cocktail is shown as band around 1.