Local parity-odd domains are theorized to form inside a Quark-Gluon-Plasma (QGP) which has been produced in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. The local parity-odd domains manifest themselves as charge separation along the magnetic field axis via the chiral magnetic effect (CME). The experimental observation of charge separation has previously been reported for heavy-ion collisions at the top RHIC energies. In this paper, we present the results of the beam-energy dependence of the charge correlations in Au+Au collisions at midrapidity for center-of-mass energies of 7.7, 11.5, 19.6, 27, 39 and 62.4 GeV from the STAR experiment. After background subtraction, the signal gradually reduces with decreased beam energy, and tends to vanish by 7.7 GeV. The implications of these results for the CME will be discussed.
The three-point correlator, $\gamma$, as a function of centrality for Au+Au collisions at 62.4 GeV.
The three-point correlator, $\gamma$, as a function of centrality for Au+Au collisions at 39 GeV.
The three-point correlator, $\gamma$, as a function of centrality for Au+Au collisions at 27 GeV.
STAR measurements of dihadron azimuthal correlations ($\Delta\phi$) are reported in mid-central (20-60\%) Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{\rm NN}}}=200$ GeV as a function of the trigger particle's azimuthal angle relative to the event plane, $\phi_{s}=|\phi_{t}-\psi_{\rm EP}|$. The elliptic ($v_2$), triangular ($v_3$), and quadratic ($v_4$) flow harmonic backgrounds are subtracted using the Zero Yield At Minimum (ZYAM) method. The results are compared to minimum-bias d+Au collisions. It is found that a finite near-side ($|\Delta\phi|<\pi/2$) long-range pseudorapidity correlation (ridge) is present in the in-plane direction ($\phi_{s}\sim 0$). The away-side ($|\Delta\phi|>\pi/2$) correlation shows a modification from d+Au data, varying with $\phi_{s}$. The modification may be a consequence of pathlength-dependent jet-quenching and may lead to a better understanding of high-density QCD.
raw correlation, Au+Au 200 GeV, 20-60%, 3<p_{T}^{(t)}<4 GeV/c, 1<p_{T}^{(a)}<2 GeV/c, |#eta|<1, slice 0.
raw correlation, Au+Au 200 GeV, 20-60%, 3<p_{T}^{(t)}<4 GeV/c, 1<p_{T}^{(a)}<2 GeV/c, |#eta|<1, slice 1.
raw correlation, Au+Au 200 GeV, 20-60%, 3<p_{T}^{(t)}<4 GeV/c, 1<p_{T}^{(a)}<2 GeV/c, |#eta|<1, slice 2.
We present results of analyses of two-pion interferometry in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 7.7, 11.5, 19.6, 27, 39, 62.4 and 200 GeV measured in the STAR detector as part of the RHIC Beam Energy Scan program. The extracted correlation lengths (HBT radii) are studied as a function of beam energy, azimuthal angle relative to the reaction plane, centrality, and transverse mass ($m_{T}$) of the particles. The azimuthal analysis allows extraction of the eccentricity of the entire fireball at kinetic freeze-out. The energy dependence of this observable is expected to be sensitive to changes in the equation of state. A new global fit method is studied as an alternate method to directly measure the parameters in the azimuthal analysis. The eccentricity shows a monotonic decrease with beam energy that is qualitatively consistent with the trend from all model predictions and quantitatively consistent with a hadronic transport model.
Angular oscillations of the HBT radii relative to the event plane from 20-30% central, 19.6 GeV Au+Au collisions for 0.15 < kT < 0.6 GeV/c. HHLW Radii uncorrected for resolution and binning for $R_{out}$.
Angular oscillations of the HBT radii relative to the event plane from 20-30% central, 19.6 GeV Au+Au collisions for 0.15 < kT < 0.6 GeV/c. HHLW Radii for resolution and binning for $R_{out}$, $R_{side}$, $R_{long}$, $R_{os}$, and $R_{ol}$ respectively.
Angular oscillations of the HBT radii relative to the event plane from 20-30% central, 19.6 GeV Au+Au collisions for 0.15 < kT < 0.6 GeV/c. Radius values according to global fit of Fourier Coefficients for $R_{out}$, $R_{side}$, $R_{long}$, $R_{os}$, and $R_{ol}$ respectively.
We report the first measurements of the moments -- mean ($M$), variance ($\sigma^{2}$), skewness ($S$) and kurtosis ($\kappa$) -- of the net-charge multiplicity distributions at mid-rapidity in Au+Au collisions at seven energies, ranging from $\sqrt {{s_{\rm NN}}}$= 7.7 to 200 GeV, as a part of the Beam Energy Scan program at RHIC. The moments are related to the thermodynamic susceptibilities of net-charge, and are sensitive to the proximity of the QCD critical point. We compare the products of the moments, $\sigma^{2}/M$, $S\sigma$ and $\kappa\sigma^{2}$ with the expectations from Poisson and negative binomial distributions (NBD). The $S\sigma$ values deviate from Poisson and are close to NBD baseline, while the $\kappa\sigma^{2}$ values tend to lie between the two. Within the present uncertainties, our data do not show non-monotonic behavior as a function of collision energy. These measurements provide a distinct way of determining the freeze-out parameters in heavy-ion collisions by comparing with theoretical models.
The efficiency and centrality bin width corrected mean (M) of the net-charge multiplicity distributions as a function of number of participating nucleons $N_{part}$ for Au+Au collisions at 7.7 GeV. The dotted lines represent calculations from the central limit theorem. The error bars are statisticaland systematic errors.
The efficiency and centrality bin width corrected mean (M) of the net-charge multiplicity distributions as a function of number of participating nucleons $N_{part}$ for Au+Au collisions at 11.5 GeV. The dotted lines represent calculations from the central limit theorem. The error bars are statisticaland systematic errors.
The efficiency and centrality bin width corrected mean (M) of the net-charge multiplicity distributions as a function of number of participating nucleons $N_{part}$ for Au+Au collisions at 19.6 GeV. The dotted lines represent calculations from the central limit theorem. The error bars are statisticaland systematic errors.
We report on the first measurement of the azimuthal anisotropy ($v_2$) of dielectrons ($e^{+}e^{-}$ pairs) at mid-rapidity from $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}} = 200$ GeV Au+Au collisions with the STAR detector at RHIC, presented as a function of transverse momentum ($p_T$) for different invariant-mass regions. In the mass region $M_{ee}\!<1.1$ GeV/$c^2$ the dielectron $v_2$ measurements are found to be consistent with expectations from $\pi^{0}$, $\eta$, $\omega$ and $\phi$ decay contributions. In the mass region $1.1\!<M_{ee}\!<2.9$ GeV/$c^2$, the measured dielectron $v_2$ is consistent, within experimental uncertainties, with that from the $c\bar{c}$ contributions.
The dielectron $v_2$ in the $\pi^0$ Dalitz decay region as a function of $p_T$ in different centralities from Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV.
Expected dielectron $v_2$ from $\pi^0$ Dalitz decay as a function of $p_T$ in different centralities from Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV.
The dielectron $v_2$ as a function of $p_T$ in minimum-bias Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV for the $\pi^0$ mass region.
Rapidity-odd directed flow($v_1$) measurements for charged pions, protons and antiprotons near mid-rapidity ($y=0$) are reported in $\sqrt{s_{NN}} =$ 7.7, 11.5, 19.6, 27, 39, 62.4 and 200 GeV Au + Au collisions as recorded by the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). At intermediate impact parameters, the proton and net-proton slope parameter $dv_1/dy|_{y=0}$ shows a minimum between 11.5 and 19.6 GeV. In addition, the net-proton $dv_1/dy|_{y=0}$ changes sign twice between 7.7 and 39 GeV. The proton and net-proton results qualitatively resemble predictions of a hydrodynamic model with a first-order phase transition from hadronic matter to deconfined matter, and differ from hadronic transport calculations.
Directed flow for protons versus rapidity for central (0-10$\%$), intermediate-centrality (10-40$\%$) and peripheral (40-80$\%$) Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 39, 27, 19.6, 11.5 and 7.7 GeV. Errors are statistical only.
Directed flow for $\pi^{-}$ versus rapidity for central (0-10$\%$), intermediate-centrality (10-40$\%$) and peripheral (40-80$\%$) Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 39, 27, 19.6, 11.5 and 7.7 GeV. Errors are statistical only.
Directed flow for protons and anti-protons versus rapidity for intermediate-centrality (10-40$\%$) Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200, 62.4, 39, 27, 19.6, 11.5 and 7.7 GeV. Errors are statistical only.
We report the STAR measurements of dielectron ($e^+e^-$) production at midrapidity ($|y_{ee}|<$1) in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 200\,GeV. The measurements are evaluated in different invariant mass regions with a focus on 0.30-0.76 ($\rho$-like), 0.76-0.80 ($\omega$-like), and 0.98-1.05 ($\phi$-like) GeV/$c^{2}$. The spectrum in the $\omega$-like and $\phi$-like regions can be well described by the hadronic cocktail simulation. In the $\rho$-like region, however, the vacuum $\rho$ spectral function cannot describe the shape of the dielectron excess. In this range, an enhancement of 1.77$\pm$0.11(stat.)$\pm$0.24(sys.)$\pm$0.33(cocktail) is determined with respect to the hadronic cocktail simulation that excludes the $\rho$ meson. The excess yield in the $\rho$-like region increases with the number of collision participants faster than the $\omega$ and $\phi$ yields. Theoretical models with broadened $\rho$ contributions through interactions with constituents in the hot QCD medium provide a consistent description of the dilepton mass spectra for the measurement presented here and the earlier data at the Super Proton Synchrotron energies.
Uncorrected Distributions of e+ e- invariant mass, the reconstructed background, and the signal pairs in 200 GeV Au+Au minimum bias collisions.
The ratio of signal to background in Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{{NN}}}$ = 200 GeV (Minimum Bias).
The ratio of signal to background in Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{{NN}}}$ = 200 GeV (Central).
We report measurements of Upsilon meson production in p+p, d+Au, and Au+Au collisions using the STAR detector at RHIC. We compare the Upsilon yield to the measured cross section in p+p collisions in order to quantify any modifications of the yield in cold nuclear matter using d+Au data and in hot nuclear matter using Au+Au data separated into three centrality classes. Our p+p measurement is based on three times the statistics of our previous result. We obtain a nuclear modification factor for Upsilon(1S+2S+3S) in the rapidity range |y|<1 in d+Au collisions of R_dAu = 0.79 +/- 0.24 (stat.) +/- 0.03 (sys.) +/- 0.10 (pp sys.). A comparison with models including shadowing and initial state parton energy loss indicates the presence of additional cold-nuclear matter suppression. Similarly, in the top 10% most-central Au+Au collisions, we measure a nuclear modification factor of R_AA=0.49 +/- 0.1 (stat.) +/- 0.02 (sys.) +/- 0.06 (pp sys.), which is a larger suppression factor than that seen in cold nuclear matter. Our results are consistent with complete suppression of excited-state Upsilon mesons in Au+Au collisions. The additional suppression in Au+Au is consistent with the level expected in model calculations that include the presence of a hot, deconfined Quark-Gluon Plasma. However, understanding the suppression seen in d+Au is still needed before any definitive statements about the nature of the suppression in Au+Au can be made.
Invariant mass distributions of electron pairs in the region $|y_{ee}| < 0.5$, p+p.
Invariant mass distributions of electron pairs in the region $|y_{ee}| < 0.5$, d+Au.
(a) $B_{ee} \times d\sigma/dy$ vs. $y$ for p+p collisions and for d+Au collisions (scaled down by 103).
We report on a polarization measurement of inclusive $J/\psi$ mesons in the di-electron decay channel at mid-rapidity at 2 $<p_{T}<$ 6 GeV/$c$ in $p+p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 200 GeV. Data were taken with the STAR detector at RHIC. The $J/\psi$ polarization measurement should help to distinguish between different models of the $J/\psi$ production mechanism since they predict different $p_{T}$ dependences of the $J/\psi$ polarization. In this analysis, $J/\psi$ polarization is studied in the helicity frame. The polarization parameter $\lambda_{\theta}$ measured at RHIC becomes smaller towards high $p_{T}$, indicating more longitudinal $J/\psi$ polarization as $p_{T}$ increases. The result is compared with predictions of presently available models.
Uncorrected cos$\theta$ distribution after the combinatorial background subtraction for $2 < p_{T}^{J/\psi} < 3$ GeV/c
Uncorrected cos$\theta$ distribution after the combinatorial background subtraction for $3 < p_{T}^{J/\psi} < 4$ GeV/c
Uncorrected cos$\theta$ distribution after the combinatorial background subtraction for $4 < p_{T}^{J/\psi} < 6$ GeV/c
The $\jpsi$ $\pt$ spectrum and nuclear modification factor ($\raa$) are reported for $\pt < 5 \ \gevc$ and $|y|<1$ from 0\% to 60\% central Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at $\snn = 200 \ \gev$ at STAR. A significant suppression of $\pt$-integrated $\jpsi$ production is observed in central Au+Au events. The Cu+Cu data are consistent with no suppression, although the precision is limited by the available statistics. $\raa$ in Au+Au collisions exhibits a strong suppression at low transverse momentum and gradually increases with $\pt$. The data are compared to high-$\pt$ STAR results and previously published BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider results. Comparing with model calculations, it is found that the invariant yields at low $\pt$ are significantly above hydrodynamic flow predictions but are consistent with models that include color screening and regeneration.
The invariant yield versus transverse momentum for |y| < 1 in 0-20% centrality in Au+Au collisions (solid circles). The results are compared to high-$p_T$ (3 < $p_T$ < 10 GeV/c) results from STAR [9] (solid squares) and PHENIX data [8] (open squares).
The invariant yield versus transverse momentum for |y| < 1 in 20-40% centrality in Au+Au collisions (solid circles). The results are compared to high-$p_T$ (3 < $p_T$ < 10 GeV/c) results from STAR [9] (solid squares) and PHENIX data [8] (open squares).
The invariant yield versus transverse momentum for |y| < 1 in 40-60% centrality in Au+Au collisions (solid circles). The results are compared to high-$p_T$ (3 < $p_T$ < 10 GeV/c) results from STAR [9] (solid squares) and PHENIX data [8] (open squares).
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