Measurements of charged-particle multiplicity dependence of higher-order net-proton cumulants in $p$+$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} =$ 200 GeV from STAR at RHIC

The STAR collaboration Abdulhamid, Muhammad ; Aboona, Bassam ; Adam, Jaroslav ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 857 (2024) 138966, 2024.
Inspire Record 2718013 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.145838

We report on the charged-particle multiplicity dependence of net-proton cumulant ratios up to sixth order from $\sqrt{s}=200$ GeV $p$+$p$ collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The measured ratios $C_{4}/C_{2}$, $C_{5}/C_{1}$, and $C_{6}/C_{2}$ decrease with increased charged-particle multiplicity and rapidity acceptance. Neither the Skellam baselines nor PYTHIA8 calculations account for the observed multiplicity dependence. In addition, the ratios $C_{5}/C_{1}$ and $C_{6}/C_{2}$ approach negative values in the highest-multiplicity events, which implies that thermalized QCD matter may be formed in $p$+$p$ collisions.

7 data tables

(c) Charged-particle multiplicity distribution.

(d) Event-by-event net-proton multiplicity distributions for $|y|<0.5$ and $0.4<p_{\rm{T}}<2.0$ GeV/$c$ at two ranges of charged particle multiplicity as indicated in the legend.

Net-proton cumulant ratios, (a) $C_{2}/C_{1}$, (b) $C_{3}/C_{2}$, (c) $C_{4}/C_{2}$, (d) $C_{5}/C_{1}$, and (e) $C_{6}/C_{2}$ as a function of charged-particle multiplicity from $\sqrt{s}=200$ GeV $p$+$p$ collisions. Black solid lines and red bands represent the statistical and systematic uncertainties, respectively. Cyan points represent event averages for $3 < m_{\rm ch}^{\rm TPC} < 30$, and they are plotted at the corresponding value of $m_{\rm ch}^{\rm TPC}$. The uncertainties on the cyan points are smaller than the marker size. The Skellam baselines are shown as dotted lines. The results of the PYTHIA8 calculations are shown by hatched-golden bands. The golden bands at $m_{\rm ch}^{\rm TPC}\approx 6$ are the results from the PYTHIA8 calculations averaged over multiplicities.

More…

Observation of the Antimatter Hypernucleus $^4_{\bar{\Lambda}}\overline{\hbox{H}}$

The STAR collaboration Abdulhamid, Muhammad ; Aboona, Bassam ; Adam, Jaroslav ; et al.
Nature 632 (2024) 1026-1031, 2024.
Inspire Record 2712863 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.145132

At the origin of the Universe, asymmetry between the amount of created matter and antimatter led to the matter-dominated Universe as we know today. The origins of this asymmetry remain not completely understood yet. High-energy nuclear collisions create conditions similar to the Universe microseconds after the Big Bang, with comparable amounts of matter and antimatter. Much of the created antimatter escapes the rapidly expanding fireball without annihilating, making such collisions an effective experimental tool to create heavy antimatter nuclear objects and study their properties, hoping to shed some light on existing questions on the asymmetry between matter and antimatter. Here we report the first observation of the antimatter hypernucleus \hbox{$^4_{\bar{\Lambda}}\overline{\hbox{H}}$}, composed of a $\bar{\Lambda}$ , an antiproton and two antineutrons. The discovery was made through its two-body decay after production in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions by the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. In total, 15.6 candidate \hbox{$^4_{\bar{\Lambda}}\overline{\hbox{H}}$} antimatter hypernuclei are obtained with an estimated background count of 6.4. The lifetimes of the antihypernuclei \hbox{$^3_{\bar{\Lambda}}\overline{\hbox{H}}$} and \hbox{$^4_{\bar{\Lambda}}\overline{\hbox{H}}$} are measured and compared with the lifetimes of their corresponding hypernuclei, testing the symmetry between matter and antimatter. Various production yield ratios among (anti)hypernuclei and (anti)nuclei are also measured and compared with theoretical model predictions, shedding light on their production mechanisms.

20 data tables

Invariant mass distributions of $^3\hbox{He}+\pi^-$ (A), $^3\overline{\hbox{He}}+\pi^+$ (B), $^4\hbox{He}+\pi^-$ (C) and $^4\overline{\hbox{He}}+\pi^+$ (D). The solid bands mark the signal invariant mass regions. The obtained signal count ($N_{\rm Sig}$), background count ($N_{\rm Bg}$), and signal significance are listed in each panel.

Invariant mass distributions of $^3\hbox{He}+\pi^-$ (A), $^3\overline{\hbox{He}}+\pi^+$ (B), $^4\hbox{He}+\pi^-$ (C) and $^4\overline{\hbox{He}}+\pi^+$ (D). The solid bands mark the signal invariant mass regions. The obtained signal count ($N_{\rm Sig}$), background count ($N_{\rm Bg}$), and signal significance are listed in each panel.

Invariant mass distributions of $^3\hbox{He}+\pi^-$ (A), $^3\overline{\hbox{He}}+\pi^+$ (B), $^4\hbox{He}+\pi^-$ (C) and $^4\overline{\hbox{He}}+\pi^+$ (D). The solid bands mark the signal invariant mass regions. The obtained signal count ($N_{\rm Sig}$), background count ($N_{\rm Bg}$), and signal significance are listed in each panel.

More…

Estimate of Background Baseline and Upper Limit on the Chiral Magnetic Effect in Isobar Collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\text{NN}}}=200$ GeV at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider

The STAR collaboration Abdulhamid, M.I. ; Aboona, B.E. ; Adam, J. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 110 (2024) 014905, 2024.
Inspire Record 2713075 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.145133

For the search of the chiral magnetic effect (CME), STAR previously presented the results from isobar collisions (${^{96}_{44}\text{Ru}}+{^{96}_{44}\text{Ru}}$, ${^{96}_{40}\text{Zr}}+{^{96}_{40}\text{Zr}}$) obtained through a blind analysis. The ratio of results in Ru+Ru to Zr+Zr collisions for the CME-sensitive charge-dependent azimuthal correlator ($\Delta\gamma$), normalized by elliptic anisotropy ($v_{2}$), was observed to be close to but systematically larger than the inverse multiplicity ratio. The background baseline for the isobar ratio, $Y = \frac{(\Delta\gamma/v_{2})^{\text{Ru}}}{(\Delta\gamma/v_{2})^{\text{Zr}}}$, is naively expected to be $\frac{(1/N)^{\text{Ru}}}{(1/N)^{\text{Zr}}}$; however, genuine two- and three-particle correlations are expected to alter it. We estimate the contributions to $Y$ from those correlations, utilizing both the isobar data and HIJING simulations. After including those contributions, we arrive at a final background baseline for $Y$, which is consistent with the isobar data. We extract an upper limit for the CME fraction in the $\Delta\gamma$ measurement of approximately $10\%$ at a $95\%$ confidence level on in isobar collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\text{NN}}} = 200$ GeV, with an expected $15\%$ difference in their squared magnetic fields.

39 data tables

Figure 1a, upper panel, full-event

Figure 1a, lower panel, full-event

Figure 1b, upper panel, subevent

More…

Results on Elastic Cross Sections in Proton-Proton Collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 510$ GeV with the STAR Detector at RHIC

The STAR collaboration Abdulhamid, M.I. ; Aboona, B.E. ; Adam, J. ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 852 (2024) 138601, 2024.
Inspire Record 2704122 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.144920

We report results on an elastic cross section measurement in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}=510$ GeV, obtained with the Roman Pot setup of the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The elastic differential cross section is measured in the four-momentum transfer squared range $0.23 \leq -t \leq 0.67$ GeV$^2$. We find that a constant slope $B$ does not fit the data in the aforementioned $t$ range, and we obtain a much better fit using a second-order polynomial for $B(t)$. The $t$ dependence of $B$ is determined using six subintervals of $t$ in the STAR measured $t$ range, and is in good agreement with the phenomenological models. The measured elastic differential cross section $\mathrm{d}\sigma/\mathrm{dt}$ agrees well with the results obtained at $\sqrt{s} = 546$ GeV for proton--antiproton collisions by the UA4 experiment. We also determine that the integrated elastic cross section within the STAR $t$-range is $\sigma^\mathrm{fid}_\mathrm{el} = 462.1 \pm 0.9 (\mathrm{stat.}) \pm 1.1 (\mathrm {syst.}) \pm 11.6 (\mathrm {scale})$~$\mu\mathrm{b}$.

2 data tables

Top panel: The $pp$ elastic differential cross section $d\sigma/dt$ fitted with an exponential $A e^{-B(t)|t|}$. Bottom panel: Residuals (Data - Fit)/Error. Uncertainties on the data points are smaller than the symbol size. The vertical scale uncertainty of 2.5% is not included in in the full error.

Results of the exponential function $A e^{-B(t)|t|}$ fit to the elastic differential cross section data as well as the integrated fiducial cross section are listed. Also listed are the corresponding values of the statistical and systematic uncertainties. The scale (luminosity and trigger efficiency) uncertainty of 2.5% applicable to the fit parameter $A$ and fiducial cross section $\sigma^\mathrm{fid}_\mathrm{el}$ is not included in the full error.


Longitudinal and transverse spin transfer to $\Lambda$ and $\overline{\Lambda}$ hyperons in polarized $p$+$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 200$ GeV

The STAR collaboration Abdulhamid, Muhammad ; Aboona, Bassam ; Adam, Jaroslav ; et al.
Phys.Rev.D 109 (2024) 012004, 2024.
Inspire Record 2703253 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.144919

The longitudinal and transverse spin transfers to $\Lambda$ ($\overline{\Lambda}$) hyperons in polarized proton-proton collisions are expected to be sensitive to the helicity and transversity distributions, respectively, of (anti-)strange quarks in the proton, and to the corresponding polarized fragmentation functions. We report improved measurements of the longitudinal spin transfer coefficient, $D_{LL}$, and the transverse spin transfer coefficient, $D_{TT}$, to $\Lambda$ and $\overline{\Lambda}$ in polarized proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 200 GeV by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The data set includes longitudinally polarized proton-proton collisions with an integrated luminosity of 52 pb$^{-1}$, and transversely polarized proton-proton collisions with a similar integrated luminosity. Both data sets have about twice the statistics of previous results and cover a kinematic range of $|\eta_{\Lambda(\overline{\Lambda})}|$$<$ 1.2 and transverse momentum $p_{T,{\Lambda(\overline{\Lambda})}}$ up to 8 GeV/$c$. We also report the first measurements of the hyperon spin transfer coefficients $D_{LL}$ and $D_{TT}$ as a function of the fractional jet momentum $z$ carried by the hyperon, which can provide more direct constraints on the polarized fragmentation functions.

35 data tables

'$D_{LL}$ as a function of $\cos\theta^{*}$ at $0 < \eta_{\Lambda(\overline{\Lambda})} < 1.2$ and $3 < p_{T} < 4 GeV/c$'

'$D_{TT}$ as a function of $\cos\theta^{*}$ at $0 < \eta_{jet} < 1.0$ and $0.5 < z < 0.7$'

'$\Lambda$ $D_{LL}$ as a function of $p_{T}$ at $0 < \eta_{\Lambda(\overline{\Lambda})} < 1.2$'

More…

Version 2
Reaction plane correlated triangular flow in Au+Au collisions at $\mathbf{\sqrt{s_{\textrm{NN}}}=3}$ GeV

The STAR collaboration Abdulhamid, Muhammad ; Aboona, Bassam ; Adam, Jaroslav ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 109 (2024) 044914, 2024.
Inspire Record 2702151 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.144480

We measure triangular flow relative to the reaction plane at 3 GeV center-of-mass energy in Au+Au collisions at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. A significant $v_3$ signal for protons is observed, which increases for higher rapidity, higher transverse momentum, and more peripheral collisions. The triangular flow is essentially rapidity-odd with a slope at mid-rapidity, $dv_3/dy|_{(y=0)}$, opposite in sign compared to the slope for directed flow. No significant $v_3$ signal is observed for charged pions and kaons. Comparisons with models suggest that a mean field potential is required to describe these results, and that the triangular shape of the participant nucleons is the result of stopping and nuclear geometry.

12 data tables

Event plane resolutions for calculating $v_3\{\Psi_1\}$ as a function of centrality from $\sqrt{s_{\textrm{NN}}}=3$ GeV Au+Au collisions at STAR.

Event plane resolutions for calculating $v_3\{\Psi_1\}$ as a function of centrality from $\sqrt{s_{\textrm{NN}}}=3$ GeV Au+Au collisions at STAR.

$v_3\{\Psi_1\}$ vs. centrality for $\pi^+$, $\pi^-$, and protons using the event plane method in $\sqrt{s_{\textrm{NN}}}=3$ GeV Au+Au collisions at STAR.

More…

Upper Limit on the Chiral Magnetic Effect in Isobar Collisions at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider

The STAR collaboration Abdulhamid, M.I. ; Aboona, B.E. ; Adam, J. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Res. 6 (2024) L032005, 2024.
Inspire Record 2692436 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.144262

The chiral magnetic effect (CME) is a phenomenon that arises from the QCD anomaly in the presence of an external magnetic field. The experimental search for its evidence has been one of the key goals of the physics program of the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider. The STAR collaboration has previously presented the results of a blind analysis of isobar collisions (${^{96}_{44}\text{Ru}}+{^{96}_{44}\text{Ru}}$, ${^{96}_{40}\text{Zr}}+{^{96}_{40}\text{Zr}}$) in the search for the CME. The isobar ratio ($Y$) of CME-sensitive observable, charge separation scaled by elliptic anisotropy, is close to but systematically larger than the inverse multiplicity ratio, the naive background baseline. This indicates the potential existence of a CME signal and the presence of remaining nonflow background due to two- and three-particle correlations, which are different between the isobars. In this post-blind analysis, we estimate the contributions from those nonflow correlations as a background baseline to $Y$, utilizing the isobar data as well as Heavy Ion Jet Interaction Generator simulations. This baseline is found consistent with the isobar ratio measurement, and an upper limit of 10% at 95% confidence level is extracted for the CME fraction in the charge separation measurement in isobar collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=200$ GeV.

7 data tables

Figure 1a

Figure 1b

Figure 1c

More…

Jet-hadron correlations with respect to the event plane in $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 200 GeV Au+Au collisions in STAR

The STAR collaboration Abdulhamid, Muhammad ; Aboona, Bassam ; Adam, Jaroslav ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 109 (2024) 044909, 2024.
Inspire Record 2735142 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.147191

Angular distributions of charged particles relative to jet axes are studied in $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 200 GeV Au+Au collisions as a function of the jet orientation with respect to the event plane. This differential study tests the expected path-length dependence of energy loss experienced by a hard-scattered parton as it traverses the hot and dense medium formed in heavy-ion collisions. A second-order event plane is used in the analysis as an experimental estimate of the reaction plane formed by the collision impact parameter and the beam direction. Charged-particle jets with $15 < p_{\rm T, jet} <$ 20 and $20 < p_{\rm T, jet} <$ 40 GeV/$c$ were reconstructed with the anti-$k_{\rm T}$ algorithm with radius parameter setting of (R=0.4) in the 20-50% centrality bin to maximize the initial-state eccentricity of the interaction region. The reaction plane fit method is implemented to remove the flow-modulated background with better precision than prior methods. Yields and widths of jet-associated charged-hadron distributions are extracted in three angular bins between the jet axis and the event plane. The event-plane (EP) dependence is further quantified by ratios of the associated yields in different EP bins. No dependence on orientation of the jet axis with respect to the event plane is seen within the uncertainties in the kinematic regime studied. This finding is consistent with a similar experimental observation by ALICE in $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV Pb+Pb collision data.

101 data tables

Event-plane resolution, second-order harmonic relative to the event plane, $R_{2}(\Psi_{2})$, respectively.

Event-plane resolution, second-order harmonic relative to the event plane, $R_{4}(\Psi_{2})$, respectively.

$p_{T, jet}$ resolution for $15 < p_{T, jet}^{GEN} < 20$ GeV/c $R=0.4$ full jets. Jets are measured from all angles relative to the event plane in the 20-50% most central events.

More…

Global polarization of $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=19.6$ and $27$ GeV

The STAR collaboration Abdulhamid, M.I. ; Aboona, B.E. ; Adam, J. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 108 (2023) 014910, 2023.
Inspire Record 2659670 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.140936

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.

5 data tables

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.

More…

Event-by-event correlations between $\Lambda$ ($\bar{\Lambda}$) hyperon global polarization and handedness with charged hadron azimuthal separation in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\text{NN}}} = 27 \text{ GeV}$ from STAR

The STAR collaboration Abdulhamid, M.I. ; Aboona, B.E. ; Adam, J. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 108 (2023) 014909, 2023.
Inspire Record 2652850 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.140262

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.

19 data tables

Figure 1

Figure 2ab

Figure 2c

More…