Tomography of ultrarelativistic nuclei with polarized photon-gluon collisions

The STAR collaboration Abdallah, Mohamed ; Aboona, Bassam ; Adam, Jaroslav ; et al.
Sci.Adv. 9 (2023) eabq3903, 2023.
Inspire Record 2062296 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.132921

A linearly polarized photon can be quantized from the Lorentz-boosted electromagnetic field of a nucleus traveling at ultra-relativistic speed. When two relativistic heavy nuclei pass one another at a distance of a few nuclear radii, the photon from one nucleus may interact through a virtual quark-antiquark pair with gluons from the other nucleus forming a short-lived vector meson (e.g. ${ρ^0}$). In this experiment, the polarization was utilized in diffractive photoproduction to observe a unique spin interference pattern in the angular distribution of ${ρ^0\rightarrowπ^+π^-}$ decays. The observed interference is a result of an overlap of two wave functions at a distance an order of magnitude larger than the ${ρ^0}$ travel distance within its lifetime. The strong-interaction nuclear radii were extracted from these diffractive interactions, and found to be $6.53\pm 0.06$ fm ($^{197} {\rm Au }$) and $7.29\pm 0.08$ fm ($^{238} {\rm U}$), larger than the nuclear charge radii. The observable is demonstrated to be sensitive to the nuclear geometry and quantum interference of non-identical particles.

14 data tables

The invariant mass distribution of pi+pi- pairs collected from Au+Au and U+U collisions.

Two-dimensional $\rho^0$ momentum distribution from Au+Au collisions.

Two-dimensional $\rho^0$ momentum distribution from Au+Au collisions.

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Low-$p_T$ $e^{+}e^{-}$ pair production in Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV and U$+$U collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 193 GeV at STAR

The STAR collaboration Adam, Jaroslav ; Adamczyk, Leszek ; Adams, Joseph ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Lett. 121 (2018) 132301, 2018.
Inspire Record 1676541 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.84821

We report first measurements of $e^{+}e^{-}$ pair production in the mass region 0.4 $

36 data tables

The centrality dependence of e+e− invariant mass spectra within the STAR acceptance from Au+Au collisions and U+U collisions for pair pT < 0.15 GeV/c. The vertical bars on data points depict the statistical uncertainties, while the systematic uncertainties are shown as gray boxes. The hadronic cocktail yields from U+U collisions are ∼5%–12% higher than those from Au+Au collisions in given centrality bins; thus only cocktails for Au+Au collisions are shown here as solid lines, with shaded bands representing the systematic uncertainties for clarity.

The centrality dependence of e+e− invariant mass spectra within the STAR acceptance from Au+Au collisions and U+U collisions for pair pT < 0.15 GeV/c. The vertical bars on data points depict the statistical uncertainties, while the systematic uncertainties are shown as gray boxes. The hadronic cocktail yields from U+U collisions are ∼5%–12% higher than those from Au+Au collisions in given centrality bins; thus only cocktails for Au+Au collisions are shown here as solid lines, with shaded bands representing the systematic uncertainties for clarity.

The centrality dependence of e+e− invariant mass spectra within the STAR acceptance from Au+Au collisions and U+U collisions for pair pT < 0.15 GeV/c. The vertical bars on data points depict the statistical uncertainties, while the systematic uncertainties are shown as gray boxes. The hadronic cocktail yields from U+U collisions are ∼5%–12% higher than those from Au+Au collisions in given centrality bins; thus only cocktails for Au+Au collisions are shown here as solid lines, with shaded bands representing the systematic uncertainties for clarity.

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Coherent diffractive photoproduction of $\rho^{0}$ mesons on gold nuclei at RHIC

The STAR collaboration Adamczyk, L. ; Adkins, J.K. ; Agakishiev, G. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 96 (2017) 054904, 2017.
Inspire Record 1515028 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.101354

The STAR Collaboration reports on the photoproduction of $\pi^+\pi^-$ pairs in gold-gold collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 200 GeV/nucleon-pair. These pion pairs are produced when a nearly-real photon emitted by one ion scatters from the other ion. We fit the $\pi^+\pi^-$ invariant mass spectrum with a combination of $\rho$ and $\omega$ resonances and a direct $\pi^+\pi^-$ continuum. This is the first observation of the $\omega$ in ultra-peripheral collisions, and the first measurement of $\rho-\omega$ interference at energies where photoproduction is dominated by Pomeron exchange. The $\omega$ amplitude is consistent with the measured $\gamma p\rightarrow \omega p$ cross section, a classical Glauber calculation and the $\omega\rightarrow\pi^+\pi^-$ branching ratio. The $\omega$ phase angle is similar to that observed at much lower energies, showing that the $\rho-\omega$ phase difference does not depend significantly on photon energy. The $\rho^0$ differential cross section $d\sigma/dt$ exhibits a clear diffraction pattern, compatible with scattering from a gold nucleus, with 2 minima visible. The positions of the diffractive minima agree better with the predictions of a quantum Glauber calculation that does not include nuclear shadowing than with a calculation that does include shadowing.

13 data tables

The $\pi^+\pi^-$ invariant-mass distribution for all selected $\pi\pi$ candidates with $p_T~<~100~\textrm{MeV}/c$.

The ratio $|B/A|$ of amplitudes of nonresonant $\pi^+\pi^-$ and $\rho^0$ mesons in the present STAR analysis.

The ratio $|B/A|$ of amplitudes of nonresonant $\pi^+\pi^-$ and $\rho^0$ mesons in the previous STAR analysis, Phys. Rev. C 77 034910 (2008).

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Measurement of Interaction between Antiprotons

The STAR collaboration Adamczyk, L. ; Adkins, J.K. ; Agakishiev, G. ; et al.
Nature 527 (2015) 345-348, 2015.
Inspire Record 1385105 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.71504

One of the primary goals of nuclear physics is to understand the force between nucleons, which is a necessary step for understanding the structure of nuclei and how nuclei interact with each other. Rutherford discovered the atomic nucleus in 1911, and the large body of knowledge about the nuclear force since acquired was derived from studies made on nucleons or nuclei. Although antinuclei up to antihelium-4 have been discovered and their masses measured, we have no direct knowledge of the nuclear force between antinucleons. Here, we study antiproton pair correlations among data taken by the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and show that the force between two antiprotons is attractive. In addition, we report two key parameters that characterize the corresponding strong interaction: namely, the scattering length (f0) and effective range (d0). As direct information on the interaction between two antiprotons, one of the simplest systems of antinucleons, our result provides a fundamental ingredient for understanding the structure of more complex antinuclei and their properties.

2 data tables

Correlation function for proton-proton pairs (top), antiproton-antiproton pairs (middle), and the ratio of the former to the latter (bottom).

Measurements of the singlet s-wave scattering length (f0) and the effective range (d0) from this and other experiments.


Beam-Energy Dependence of Charge Balance Functions from Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

The STAR collaboration Adamczyk, L. ; Adkins, J.K. ; Agakishiev, G. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 94 (2016) 024909, 2016.
Inspire Record 1382600 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.99053

Balance functions have been measured in terms of relative pseudorapidity ($\Delta \eta$) for charged particle pairs at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC) from Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 7.7 GeV to 200 GeV using the STAR detector. These results are compared with balance functions measured at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) from Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV by the ALICE Collaboration. The width of the balance function decreases as the collisions become more central and as the beam energy is increased. In contrast, the widths of the balance functions calculated using shuffled events show little dependence on centrality or beam energy and are larger than the observed widths. Balance function widths calculated using events generated by UrQMD are wider than the measured widths in central collisions and show little centrality dependence. The measured widths of the balance functions in central collisions are consistent with the delayed hadronization of a deconfined quark gluon plasma (QGP). The narrowing of the balance function in central collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 7.7 GeV implies that a QGP is still being created at this relatively low energy.

31 data tables

The balance function in terms of $\Delta \eta$ for all charged particles with $0.2 < p_{T} < 2.0$ GeV/$c$ from central Au+Au collisions (0-5%) for $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=7.7$ GeV. The data are the measured balance functions corrected by subtracting balance functions calculated using mixed events. Also shown are balance functions calculated using shuffled events.

The balance function in terms of $\Delta \eta$ for all charged particles with $0.2 < p_{T} < 2.0$ GeV/$c$ from central Au+Au collisions (0-5%) for $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=11.5$ GeV. The data are the measured balance functions corrected by subtracting balance functions calculated using mixed events. Also shown are balance functions calculated using shuffled events.

The balance function in terms of $\Delta \eta$ for all charged particles with $0.2 < p_{T} < 2.0$ GeV/$c$ from central Au+Au collisions (0-5%) for $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=19.6$ GeV. The data are the measured balance functions corrected by subtracting balance functions calculated using mixed events. Also shown are balance functions calculated using shuffled events.

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Energy dependence of acceptance-corrected dielectron excess mass spectrum at mid-rapidity in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 19.6$ and 200 GeV

The STAR collaboration Adamczyk, L. ; Adkins, J.K. ; Agakishiev, G. ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 750 (2015) 64-71, 2015.
Inspire Record 1340691 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.72236

The acceptance-corrected dielectron excess mass spectra, where the known hadronic sources have been subtracted from the inclusive dielectron mass spectra, are reported for the first time at mid-rapidity $|y_{ee}|<1$ in minimum-bias Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 19.6 and 200 GeV. The excess mass spectra are consistently described by a model calculation with a broadened $\rho$ spectral function for $M_{ee}<1.1$ GeV/$c^{2}$. The integrated dielectron excess yield at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 19.6 GeV for $0.4<M_{ee}<0.75$ GeV/$c^2$, normalized to the charged particle multiplicity at mid-rapidity, has a value similar to that in In+In collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 17.3 GeV. For $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV, the normalized excess yield in central collisions is higher than that at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 17.3 GeV and increases from peripheral to central collisions. These measurements indicate that the lifetime of the hot, dense medium created in central Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV is longer than those in peripheral collisions and at lower energies.

6 data tables

Reconstructed dielectron unlike-sign pairs, like-sign pairs and signal distributions, together with the signal to background ratio (S/B). All columns are presented as a function of dielectron invariant mass in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 19.6 GeV.

Dielectron invariant mass spectrum in the STAR acceptance (|$y_{ee}$| < 1, 0.2 < $p_T^e$ < 3 GeV/c, |$\eta^e$ | < 1) after efficiency correction in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 19.6 GeV.

Hadronic cocktail consisting of the decays of light hadrons and correlated decays of charm in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 19.6 GeV.

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Effect of event selection on jetlike correlation measurement in $d$+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}=200$ GeV

The STAR collaboration Adamczyk, L. ; Adkins, J.K. ; Agakishiev, G. ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 743 (2015) 333-339, 2015.
Inspire Record 1335765 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.73235

Dihadron correlations are analyzed in $\sqrt{s_{_{\rm NN}}} = 200$ GeV $d$+Au collisions classified by forward charged particle multiplicity and zero-degree neutral energy in the Au-beam direction. It is found that the jetlike correlated yield increases with the event multiplicity. After taking into account this dependence, the non-jet contribution on the away side is minimal, leaving little room for a back-to-back ridge in these collisions.

16 data tables

The dihadron correlated yield normalized per radian per unit of pseudorapidity as function of $\Delta\eta$ in d+Au collisions on the near (|$\Delta\phi$| < $\pi$/3). Shown is the low FTPC-Au activity data. Trigger and associated particles have 1 < $p_T$ < 3 GeV/c and |$\eta$| < 1.

The dihadron correlated yield normalized per radian per unit of pseudorapidity as function of $\Delta\eta$ in d+Au collisions on the away side (|$\Delta\phi$ - $\pi$| < $\pi$/3. Shown is the high FTPC-Au activity data. Trigger and associated particles have 1 < $p_T$ < 3 GeV/c and |$\eta$| < 1.

The dihadron correlated yield normalized per radian per unit of pseudorapidity as function of $\Delta\eta$ in d+Au collisions on the near (|$\Delta\phi$| < $\pi$/3) side. Shown is the high-activity data after subtracting the unscaled. Trigger and associated particles have 1 < $p_T$ < 3 GeV/c and |$\eta$| < 1.

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Precision Measurement of the Longitudinal Double-spin Asymmetry for Inclusive Jet Production in Polarized Proton Collisions at $\sqrt{s}=200$ GeV

The STAR collaboration Adamczyk, L. ; Adkins, J.K. ; Agakishiev, G. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Lett. 115 (2015) 092002, 2015.
Inspire Record 1297229 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.73432

We report a new high-precision measurement of the mid-rapidity inclusive jet longitudinal double-spin asymmetry, $A_{LL}$, in polarized $pp$ collisions at center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}=200$ GeV. The STAR data place stringent constraints on polarized parton distribution functions extracted at next-to-leading order from global analyses of inclusive deep inelastic scattering (DIS), semi-inclusive DIS, and RHIC $pp$ data. The measured asymmetries provide evidence for positive gluon polarization in the Bjorken-$x$ region $x>0.05$.

7 data tables

Jet neutral energy fraction (NEF) comparing data with simulations, where both are calculated with pT subtraction. This plot shows 8.4 < $p_T$ < 9.9 GeV/c.

Jet neutral energy fraction (NEF) comparing data with simulations, where both are calculated with pT subtraction. This plot shows 26.8 < $p_T$ < 31.6 GeV/c.

Inclusive jet $A_{LL}$ vs. parton jet $p_T$ for |eta|<0.5.

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Measurement of longitudinal spin asymmetries for weak boson production in polarized proton-proton collisions at RHIC

The STAR collaboration Adamczyk, L. ; Adkins, J.K. ; Agakishiev, G. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Lett. 113 (2014) 072301, 2014.
Inspire Record 1292792 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.73441

We report measurements of single- and double- spin asymmetries for $W^{\pm}$ and $Z/\gamma^*$ boson production in longitudinally polarized $p+p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 510$ GeV by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The asymmetries for $W^{\pm}$ were measured as a function of the decay lepton pseudorapidity, which provides a theoretically clean probe of the proton's polarized quark distributions at the scale of the $W$ mass. The results are compared to theoretical predictions, constrained by recent polarized deep inelastic scattering measurements, and show a preference for a sizable, positive up antiquark polarization in the range $0.05<x<0.2$.

13 data tables

$E_T^e$ distribution of $W^{\pm}$ candidate events, background contributions, and sum of backgrounds and W -> ev MC signal. This plot is for Electron |eta|<0.5.

$E_T^e$ distribution of $W^{\pm}$ candidate events, background contributions, and sum of backgrounds and W -> ev MC signal. This plot is for Electron 0.5<|eta|<1.1.

$E_T^e$ distribution of $W^{\pm}$ candidate events, background contributions, and sum of backgrounds and W -> ev MC signal. This plot is for Positron |eta|<0.5.

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Version 3
Observation of $D^0$ meson nuclear modifications in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{\mathrm{NN}}}}$ = 200 GeV

The STAR collaboration Adamczyk, L. ; Adkins, J.K. ; Agakishiev, G. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Lett. 113 (2014) 142301, 2014.
Inspire Record 1292132 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.73474

In this erratum we report changes on the $D^0$ $p_T$ spectra and nuclear modification factor ($R_{AA}$) in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{\mathrm{NN}}}}$ = 200 GeV by fixing the errors in the efficiency and selection criteria that affected the Au+Au results. The p+p reference spectrum has changed as well and is updated with new fragmentation parameters.

11 data tables

Centrality dependence of the $D^0$ $p_T$ differential invariant yield in Au+Au collisions.

$D^0$ $p_{\rm T}$ differential invariant yield in p+p collisions (open circles), which has been updated with the latest global analysis of charm fragmentation ratios from Ref and also taking into account the $p_{\rm T}$ dependence of the fragmentation ratio between $D^0$ and $D^{*{\pm}}$ from PYTHIA 6.4. The systematic uncertainties are shown as square brackets.

$D^0$ $p_{\rm T}$ differential invariant yield in p+p collisions (open circles), which has been updated with the latest global analysis of charm fragmentation ratios from Ref and also taking into account the $p_{\rm T}$ dependence of the fragmentation ratio between $D^0$ and $D^{*{\pm}}$ from PYTHIA 6.4. The systematic uncertainties are shown as square brackets.

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