The formation of light (anti)nuclei with mass number A of a few units (e.g., d, $^3$He, and $^4$He) in high-energy hadronic collisions presents a longstanding mystery in nuclear physics [1,2]. It is not clear how nuclei bound by a few MeV can emerge in environments characterized by temperatures above 100 MeV [3-5], about 100,000 times hotter than the center of the Sun. Despite extensive studies, this question remained unanswered. The ALICE Collaboration now addresses it with a novel approach using deuteron-pion momentum correlations in proton-proton (pp) collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Our results provide model-independent evidence that about 80% of the observed (anti)deuterons are produced in nuclear fusion reactions [6] following the decay of short-lived resonances, such as the $\Delta (1232)$. These findings resolve a crucial gap in our understanding of nucleosynthesis in hadronic collisions. Beyond answering the fundamental question on how nuclei are formed in hadronic collisions, the results can be employed in the modeling of the production of light and heavy nuclei in cosmic rays [7] and dark matter decays [8,9].
Measured $\pi^{+}$–d$\oplus\pi^{-}$–$\overline{\mathrm{d}}$ (left panel) correlation function.
Measured $\pi^{-}$–d$\oplus\pi^{+}$–$\overline{\mathrm{d}}$ (right panel) correlation function.
The extracted kinetic decoupling temperature is derived from $\pi^{+}$–d correlation functions.
The first measurement of the e$^+$e$^-$ pair production at midrapidity and low invariant mass in central Pb$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02$ TeV at the LHC is presented. The yield of e$^+$e$^-$ pairs is compared with a cocktail of expected hadronic decay contributions in the invariant mass ($m_{\rm ee}$) and pair transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T,ee}$) ranges $m_{\rm ee} < 3.5$ GeV$/c^2$ and $p_{\rm T,ee} < 8$ GeV$/c$. For $0.18 < m_{\rm ee} < 0.5$ GeV$/c^2$ the ratio of data to the cocktail of hadronic contributions without $\rho$ mesons amounts to $1.42 \pm 0.12 \ ({\rm stat.}) \pm 0.17 \ ({\rm syst.}) \pm 0.12 \ ({\rm cocktail})$ and $1.44 \pm 0.12 \ ({\rm stat.}) \pm 0.17 \ ({\rm syst.}) ^{+0.17}_{-0.21} \ ({\rm cocktail})$, including or not including medium effects in the estimation of the heavy-flavor background, respectively. It is consistent with predictions from two different models for an additional contribution of thermal e$^+$e$^-$ pairs from the hadronic and partonic phases. In the intermediate-mass range ($1.2 < m_{\rm ee} < 2.6$ GeV$/c^2$), the pair transverse impact parameter of the e$^+$e$^-$ pairs (DCA$_{\rm ee}$) is used for the first time in Pb$-$Pb collisions to separate displaced dielectrons from heavy-flavor hadron decays from a possible (thermal) contribution produced at the interaction point. The data are consistent with a suppression of e$^+$e$^-$ pairs from ${\rm c\overline{c}}$ and an additional prompt component. Finally, the first direct-photon measurement in the 10% most central Pb$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02$ TeV is reported via the study of virtual direct photons in the transverse momentum range $1 < p_{\rm T} < 5$ GeV$/c$. A model including prompt photons, as well as photons from the pre-equilibrium and fluid-dynamic phases, can reproduce the result, while being at the upper edge of the data uncertainties.
Dielectron invariant mass spectrum in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV for the 0--10\% centrality class. Electrons are measured within $|\eta_{\rm e}| < 0.8$ and $0.2 < p_{\rm T,e} < 10$ GeV/$c$. Dielectrons are measured in $0 < p_{\rm T,ee} < 8$ GeV/$c$.
Dielectron invariant mass spectrum of excess in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV for the 0--10\% centrality class. Electrons are measured within $|\eta_{\rm e}| < 0.8$ and $0.2 < p_{\rm T,e} < 10$ GeV/$c$. Dielectrons are measured in $0 < p_{\rm T,ee} < 8$ GeV/$c$. Upper limits at 90\% C.L. are also set. The Ncoll-scaled HF cocktail is subtracted from the inclusive dielectron yield.
Dielectron invariant mass spectrum of excess in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV for the 0--10\% centrality class. Electrons are measured within $|\eta_{\rm e}| < 0.8$ and $0.2 < p_{\rm T,e} < 10$ GeV/$c$. Dielectrons are measured in $0 < p_{\rm T,ee} < 8$ GeV/$c$. Upper limits at 90\% C.L. are also set. The Ncoll-scaled HF cocktail is subtracted from the inclusive dielectron yield.
We present the charged-particle multiplicity distributions over a wide pseudorapidity range ($-3.4<\eta<5.0$) for pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=$ 0.9, 7, and 8 TeV at the LHC. Results are based on information from the Silicon Pixel Detector and the Forward Multiplicity Detector of ALICE, extending the pseudorapidity coverage of the earlier publications and the high-multiplicity reach. The measurements are compared to results from the CMS experiment and to PYTHIA, PHOJET and EPOS LHC event generators, as well as IP-Glasma calculations.
Multiplicity distribution in the pseudorapidity region -2.0 to 2.0 for NSD collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 900 GeV.
Multiplicity distribution in the pseudorapidity region -2.4 to 2.4 for NSD collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 900 GeV.
Multiplicity distribution in the pseudorapidity region -3.0 to 3.0 for NSD collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 900 GeV.
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.
Azimuthally anisotropic distributions of D$^0$, D$^+$ and D$^{*+}$ mesons were studied in the central rapidity region ($|y|<0.8$) in Pb-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV per nucleon-nucleon collision, with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The second Fourier coefficient $v_2$ (commonly denoted elliptic flow) was measured in the centrality class 30-50% as a function of the D meson transverse momentum $p_{\rm T}$, in the range 2-16 GeV/$c$. The measured $v_2$ of D mesons is comparable in magnitude to that of light-flavour hadrons. It is positive in the range $2 < p_{\rm T} < 6$ GeV/$c$ with $5.7\sigma$ significance, based on the combination of statistical and systematic uncertainties.
v2 vs. pt for D0. The first systematic (sys) error is that from the data analysis and the second is from the B feed-down subtraction, as explained in the paper.
v2 vs. pt for D+. The first systematic (sys) error is that from the data analysis and the second is from the B feed-down subtraction, as explained in the paper.
v2 vs. pt for D*+. The first systematic (sys) error is that from the data analysis and the second is from the B feed-down subtraction, as explained in the paper.
The ratios of yields of anti-baryons to baryons probes the mechanisms of baryon-number transport. Results for $\bar{\rm p}/{\rm p}$, $\bar{\rm \Lambda}/{\rm \Lambda}$, $\rm\bar{\Xi}$$^{+}/{\rm \Xi}^{-}$ and $\rm\bar{\Omega}$$^{+}/{\rm \Omega}^{-}$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 0.9$, 2.76 and 7 TeV, measured with the ALICE detector at the LHC, are reported. Within the experimental uncertainties and ranges covered by our measurement, these ratios are independent of rapidity, transverse momentum and multiplicity for all measured energies. The results are compared to expectations from event generators, such as PYTHIA and HIJING-B, that are used to model the particle production in pp collisions. The energy dependence of $\bar{\rm p}/{\rm p}$, $\bar{\rm \Lambda}/{\rm \Lambda}$, $\rm\bar{\Xi}$$^{+}/{\rm \Xi^{-}}$ and $\rm\bar{\Omega}$$^{+}/{\rm \Omega^{-}}$, reaching values compatible with unity for $\sqrt{s} = 7$ TeV, complement the earlier $\bar{\rm p}/{\rm p}$ measurement of ALICE. These dependencies can be described by exchanges with the Regge-trajectory intercept of $\alpha_{\rm {J}} \approx 0.5$, which are suppressed with increasing rapidity interval ${\rm \Delta} y$. Any significant contribution of an exchange not suppressed at large ${\rm \Delta} y$ (reached at LHC energies) is disfavoured.
The pbar/p ratio at sqrt(s) = 2.76 TeV as a function of pT.
The pbar/p ratio at sqrt(s) = 2.76 TeV as a function of rapidity.
The LambdaBar/Lambda ratio at sqrt(s) = 0.9 TeV as a function of pT.
The ALICE collaboration at the CERN Large Hadron Collider reports the first measurement of the inclusive differential jet cross section at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 2.76$ TeV, with integrated luminosity of 13.6 nb$^{-1}$. Jets are measured over the transverse momentum range 20 to 125 GeV/c and are corrected to the particle level. Calculations based on Next-to-Leading Order perturbative QCD are in good agreement with the measurements. The ratio of inclusive jet cross sections for jet radii $R = 0.2$ and $R = 0.4$ is reported, and is also well reproduced by a Next-to-Leading Order perturbative QCD calculation when hadronization effects are included.
Inclusive differential jet cross section for R=0.2 and R=0.4.
Ratio of the inclusive differential jet cross section for R=0.2 and R=0.4.
The first measurements of the invariant differential cross sections of inclusive $\pi^0$ and $\eta$ meson production at mid-rapidity in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=0.9$ TeV and $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV are reported. The $\pi^0$ measurement covers the ranges $0.4<p_T<7$ GeV/$c$ and $0.3<p_T<25$ GeV/$c$ for these two energies, respectively. The production of $\eta$ mesons was measured at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV in the range $0.4<p_T<15$ GeV/$c$. Next-to-Leading Order perturbative QCD calculations, which are consistent with the $\pi^0$ spectrum at $\sqrt{s}=0.9$ TeV, overestimate those of $\pi^0$ and $\eta$ mesons at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV, but agree with the measured $\eta/\pi^0$ ratio at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV.
The measured invariant differential section for inclusive PI0 production at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV.
The measured invariant differential section for inclusive PI0 production at a centre-of-mass energy of 0.9 TeV.
The measured invariant differential section for inclusive ETA production at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV.
The ALICE Collaboration has measured inclusive J/psi production in pp collisions at a center of mass energy sqrt(s)=2.76 TeV at the LHC. The results presented in this Letter refer to the rapidity ranges |y|<0.9 and 2.5<y<4 and have been obtained by measuring the electron and muon pair decay channels, respectively. The integrated luminosities for the two channels are L^e_int=1.1 nb^-1 and L^mu_int=19.9 nb^-1, and the corresponding signal statistics are N_J/psi^e+e-=59 +/- 14 and N_J/psi^mu+mu-=1364 +/- 53. We present dsigma_J/psi/dy for the two rapidity regions under study and, for the forward-y range, d^2sigma_J/psi/dydp_t in the transverse momentum domain 0<p_t<8 GeV/c. The results are compared with previously published results at sqrt(s)=7 TeV and with theoretical calculations.
Double differential J/$\psi$ production cross section at $\sqrt{s}=2.76$ TeV. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one is $p_{\rm T}$-coorelated, the third one is uncorrelated. Polarization-related uncertainties are not included.
The $\sqrt{s}$-dependence of $\langle p_{\rm T}\rangle$ for inclusive J/$\psi$ production (forward rapidity).
the $\sqrt{s}$-dependence of $\langle p_{\rm T}\rangle$ for inclusive J/$\psi$ production (forward rapidity).
The ALICE collaboration reports the measurement of the inclusive J/psi yield as a function of charged particle pseudorapidity density dN_{ch}/deta in pp collisions at sqrt{s} = 7 TeV at the LHC. J/psi particles are detected for p_t > 0, in the rapidity interval |y| < 0.9 via decay into e+e-, and in the interval 2.5 < y < 4.0 via decay into mu+mu- pairs. An approximately linear increase of the J/psi yields normalized to their event average (dN_{J/psi}/dy)/<dN_{J/psi}/dy> with (dN_{ch}/deta)/<dN_{ch}/deta> is observed in both rapidity ranges, where dN_{ch}/deta is measured within |eta| < 1 and p_t > 0. In the highest multiplicity interval with <dN_{ch}/deta(bin)> = 24.1, corresponding to four times the minimum bias multiplicity density, an enhancement relative to the minimum bias J/psi yield by a factor of about 5 at 2.5 < y < 4 (8 at |y| < 0.9) is observed.
The relative J/psi yield (dN_(j/psi)/dy)/<dN_(j/psi)/dy> in the di-electron channel as a function of the relative charged particle multiplicity density (dN_(ch)/deta)/<dN_(ch)/deta>.
The relative J/psi yield (dN_(j/psi)/dy)/<dN_(j/psi)/dy> in the di-muon channel as a function of the relative charged particle multiplicity density (dN_(ch)/deta)/<dN_(ch)/deta>.
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