We report on the first measurement of the charmed baryon $\Lambda_c^{\pm}$ production at midrapidity ($|y|$ $<$ 1) in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV collected by the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The $\Lambda_c$/$D^0$ (denoting ($\Lambda_c^++\Lambda_c^-$)/($D^0+\bar{D^0}$)) yield ratio is measured to be 1.08 $\pm$ 0.16 (stat.) $\pm$ 0.26 (sys.) in the 0--20% most central Au+Au collisions for the transverse momentum ($p_T$) range 3 $<$ $p_T$ $<$ 6 GeV/$c$. This is significantly larger than the PYTHIA model calculations for $p+p$ collisions. The measured $\Lambda_c$/$D^0$ ratio, as a function of $p_T$ and collision centrality, is comparable to the baryon-to-meson ratios for light and strange hadrons in Au+Au collisions. Model calculations including coalescence hadronization for charmed baryon and meson formation reproduce the features of our measured $\Lambda_c$/$D^0$ ratio.
We report on the measurement of the Central Exclusive Production of charged particle pairs $h^{+}h^{-}$ ($h = \pi, K, p$) with the STAR detector at RHIC in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 200$ GeV. The charged particle pairs produced in the reaction $pp\to p^\prime+h^{+}h^{-}+p^\prime$ are reconstructed from the tracks in the central detector, while the forward-scattered protons are measured in the Roman Pot system. Differential cross sections are measured in the fiducial region, which roughly corresponds to the square of the four-momentum transfers at the proton vertices in the range $0.04~\mbox{GeV}^2 < -t_1 , -t_2 < 0.2~\mbox{GeV}^2$, invariant masses of the charged particle pairs up to a few GeV and pseudorapidities of the centrally-produced hadrons in the range $|\eta|<0.7$. The measured cross sections are compared to phenomenological predictions based on the Double Pomeron Exchange (DPE) model. Structures observed in the mass spectra of $\pi^{+}\pi^{-}$ and $K^{+}K^{-}$ pairs are consistent with the DPE model, while angular distributions of pions suggest a dominant spin-0 contribution to $\pi^{+}\pi^{-}$ production. The fiducial $\pi^+\pi^-$ cross section is extrapolated to the Lorentz-invariant region, which allows decomposition of the invariant mass spectrum into continuum and resonant contributions. The extrapolated cross section is well described by the continuum production and at least three resonances, the $f_0(980)$, $f_2(1270)$ and $f_0(1500)$, with a possible small contribution from the $f_0(1370)$. Fits to the extrapolated differential cross section as a function of $t_1$ and $t_2$ enable extraction of the exponential slope parameters in several bins of the invariant mass of $\pi^+\pi^-$ pairs. These parameters are sensitive to the size of the interaction region.
Differential fiducial cross section for CEP of $K^+K^-$ pairs as a function of the invariant mass of the pair. Systematic uncertainties assigned to data points are strongly correlated between bins and should be treated as allowed collective variation of all data points. There are two components of the total systematic uncertainty. The systematic uncertainty related to the experimental tools and analysis method is labeled "syst. (experimental)". The systematic uncertainty related to the integrated luminosity (fully correlated between all data points) is labeled "syst. (luminosity)". Fiducial region definition: * central state $K^+$, $K^-$ - $p_{\mathrm{T}} > 0.3~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $min(p_{\mathrm{T}}(K^+), p_{\mathrm{T}}(K^-)) < 0.7~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $|\eta| < 0.7$ * intact forward-scattered beam protons $p'$ - $p_x > -0.2~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $0.2~\mathrm{GeV} < |p_{y}| < 0.4~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $(p_x+0.3~\mathrm{GeV})^2 + p_y^2 < 0.25~\mathrm{GeV}^2$
Differential fiducial cross section for CEP of $K^+K^-$ pairs as a function of the rapidity of the pair. Systematic uncertainties assigned to data points are strongly correlated between bins and should be treated as allowed collective variation of all data points. There are two components of the total systematic uncertainty. The systematic uncertainty related to the experimental tools and analysis method is labeled "syst. (experimental)". The systematic uncertainty related to the integrated luminosity (fully correlated between all data points) is labeled "syst. (luminosity)". Fiducial region definition: * central state $K^+$, $K^-$ - $p_{\mathrm{T}} > 0.3~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $min(p_{\mathrm{T}}(K^+), p_{\mathrm{T}}(K^-)) < 0.7~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $|\eta| < 0.7$ * intact forward-scattered beam protons $p'$ - $p_x > -0.2~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $0.2~\mathrm{GeV} < |p_{y}| < 0.4~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $(p_x+0.3~\mathrm{GeV})^2 + p_y^2 < 0.25~\mathrm{GeV}^2$
Differential fiducial cross section for CEP of $K^+K^-$ pairs as a function of the difference of azimuthal angles of the forward scattered protons. Systematic uncertainties assigned to data points are strongly correlated between bins and should be treated as allowed collective variation of all data points. There are two components of the total systematic uncertainty. The systematic uncertainty related to the experimental tools and analysis method is labeled "syst. (experimental)". The systematic uncertainty related to the integrated luminosity (fully correlated between all data points) is labeled "syst. (luminosity)". Fiducial region definition: * central state $K^+$, $K^-$ - $p_{\mathrm{T}} > 0.3~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $min(p_{\mathrm{T}}(K^+), p_{\mathrm{T}}(K^-)) < 0.7~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $|\eta| < 0.7$ * intact forward-scattered beam protons $p'$ - $p_x > -0.2~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $0.2~\mathrm{GeV} < |p_{y}| < 0.4~\mathrm{GeV}$ - $(p_x+0.3~\mathrm{GeV})^2 + p_y^2 < 0.25~\mathrm{GeV}^2$
We report the measurement of $K^{*0}$ meson at midrapidity ($|y|<$ 1.0) in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$~=~7.7, 11.5, 14.5, 19.6, 27 and 39 GeV collected by the STAR experiment during the RHIC beam energy scan (BES) program. The transverse momentum spectra, yield, and average transverse momentum of $K^{*0}$ are presented as functions of collision centrality and beam energy. The $K^{*0}/K$ yield ratios are presented for different collision centrality intervals and beam energies. The $K^{*0}/K$ ratio in heavy-ion collisions are observed to be smaller than that in small system collisions (e+e and p+p). The $K^{*0}/K$ ratio follows a similar centrality dependence to that observed in previous RHIC and LHC measurements. The data favor the scenario of the dominance of hadronic re-scattering over regeneration for $K^{*0}$ production in the hadronic phase of the medium.
$p_{\mathrm T}$-differential yield of $\mathrm{K^{*0}} + \bar{\mathrm{K^{*0}}}$ in AuAu collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}~=~$19.6 GeV (Multiplicity class 60-80%).
We present STAR measurements of the azimuthal anisotropy parameter $v_2$ and the binary-collision scaled centrality ratio $R_{CP}$ for kaons and lambdas ($\Lambda+\bar{\Lambda}$) at mid-rapidity in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV. In combination, the $v_2$ and $R_{CP}$ particle-type dependencies contradict expectations from partonic energy loss followed by standard fragmentation in vacuum. We establish $p_T \approx 5$ GeV/c as the value where the centrality dependent baryon enhancement ends. The $K_S^0$ and $\Lambda+\bar{\Lambda}$ $v_2$ values are consistent with expectations of constituent-quark-number scaling from models of hadron fromation by parton coalescence or recombination.
The STAR Collaboration at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider reports the first measurement of inclusive jet production in peripheral and central Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$=200 GeV. Jets are reconstructed with the anti-k$_{T}$ algorithm using charged tracks with pseudorapidity $|\eta|<1.0$ and transverse momentum $0.2<p_{T,jet}^{ch}<30$ GeV/$c$, with jet resolution parameter $R$=0.2, 0.3, and 0.4. The large background yield uncorrelated with the jet signal is observed to be dominated by statistical phase space, consistent with a previous coincidence measurement. This background is suppressed by requiring a high-transverse-momentum (high-$p_T$) leading hadron in accepted jet candidates. The bias imposed by this requirement is assessed, and the $p_T$ region in which the bias is small is identified. Inclusive charged-particle jet distributions are reported in peripheral and central Au+Au collisions for $5<p_{T,jet}^{ch}<25$ GeV/$c$ and $5<p_{T,jet}^{ch}<30$ GeV/$c$, respectively. The charged-particle jet inclusive yield is suppressed for central Au+Au collisions, compared to both the peripheral Au+Au yield from this measurement and to the $pp$ yield calculated using the PYTHIA event generator. The magnitude of the suppression is consistent with that of inclusive hadron production at high $p_T$, and that of semi-inclusive recoil jet yield when expressed in terms of energy loss due to medium-induced energy transport. Comparison of inclusive charged-particle jet yields for different values of $R$ exhibits no significant evidence for medium-induced broadening of the transverse jet profile for $R<0.4$ in central Au+Au collisions. The measured distributions are consistent with theoretical model calculations that incorporate jet quenching.
Corrected inclusive charged-particle jet distributions in Au+Au collisions at 200 GeV for R=0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 in central (0-10%) Au+Au collisions for pTlead,min = 5 GeV/c. The first uncertainty is statistical (symmetric), followed by shape uncertainty (asymmetric) and correlated uncertainty (asymmetric).
Corrected inclusive charged-particle jet distributions in Au+Au collisions at 200 GeV for R=0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 in peripheral (60-80%) Au+Au collisions for pTlead,min = 5 GeV/c. The first uncertainty is statistical (symmetric), followed by shape uncertainty (asymmetric) and correlated uncertainty (asymmetric).
Corrected inclusive charged-particle jet distributions in Au+Au collisions at 200 GeV for R=0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 in central (0-10%) Au+Au collisions for pTlead,min = 7 GeV/c. The first uncertainty is statistical (symmetric), followed by shape uncertainty (asymmetric) and correlated uncertainty (asymmetric).
Charged-particle spectra associated with direct photon ($\gamma_{dir} $) and $\pi^0$ are measured in $p$+$p$ and Au+Au collisions at center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV with the STAR detector at RHIC. A hower-shape analysis is used to partially discriminate between $\gamma_{dir}$ and $\pi^0$. Assuming no associated charged particles in the $\gamma_{dir}$ direction (near side) and small contribution from fragmentation photons ($\gamma_{frag}$), the associated charged-particle yields opposite to $\gamma_{dir}$ (away side) are extracted. At mid-rapidity ($|\eta|<0.9$) in central Au+Au collisions, charged-particle yields associated with $\gamma_{dir}$ and $\pi^0$ at high transverse momentum ($8< p_{T}^{trig}<16$ GeV/$c$) are suppressed by a factor of 3-5 compared with $p$ + $p$ collisions. The observed suppression of the associated charged particles, in the kinematic range $|\eta|<1$ and $3< p_{T}^{assoc} < 16$ GeV/$c$, is similar for $\gamma_{dir}$ and $\pi^0$, and independent of the $\gamma_{dir}$ energy within uncertainties. These measurements indicate that the parton energy loss, in the covered kinematic range, is insensitive to the parton path length.
The $z_{T}$ dependence of $\pi^{0}-h^{\pm}$ near side and away-side associated particle yields. The errors denoted 'syst' are systematic errors correlated in $z_{T}$. The errors denoted 'syst uncorr' are point-to-point systematic errors.
The $z_{T}$ dependence of away-side associated-particle yields for $\pi^{0}-h^{\pm}$ triggers and $\gamma_{dir}$ triggers. The errors denoted 'syst' are systematic errors correlated in $z_{T}$. The errors denoted 'syst uncorr' are point-to-point systematic errors.
The $z_{T}$ dependence $I_{AA}$ for $\pi^{0}-h^{\pm}$ triggers and $\gamma_{dir}$ triggers. The errors denoted 'syst' are systematic errors correlated in $z_{T}$. The errors denoted 'syst uncorr' are point-to-point systematic errors.
Identified charged particle spectra of $\pi^{\pm}$, $K^{\pm}$, $p$ and $\pbar$ at mid-rapidity ($|y|<0.1$) measured by the $\dedx$ method in the STAR-TPC are reported for $pp$ and d+Au collisions at $\snn = 200$ GeV and for Au+Au collisions at 62.4 GeV, 130 GeV, and 200 GeV. ... [Shortened for arXiv list. Full abstract in manuscript.]
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.
Production yield ratios of various particles with the same baryon number. Results combining all collision systems in this work are shown by filled stars. Open stars show results with only U+U and Au+Au collisions, while quadrangular stars show results with only Zr+Zr and Ru+Ru collisions. Statistical uncertainties and systematic uncertainties are shown by vertical bars and boxes, respectively. Previous measurement results and thermal model predictions are also shown for comparison. Ratio Typle Index, 0:$\frac{{}^{3}\bar{He}}{{}^{3}He}$ 1:$\frac{{}^{3}\bar{He}}{{}^{3}He}\times\frac{\bar{p}}{p}$ 2:$\frac{{}^{4}\bar{He}}{{}^{4}He}$ 3:$\frac{{}^{3}_{\bar{\Lambda}}\bar{H}}{{}^{3}_{\Lambda}H}$ 4:$\frac{{}^{3}_{\bar{\Lambda}}\bar{H}}{{}^{3}_{\Lambda}H}\times\frac{\bar{p}}{p}$ 5:$\frac{{}^{4}_{\bar{\Lambda}}\bar{H}}{{}^{4}_{\Lambda}H}$ 6:$\frac{{}^{3}_{\Lambda}H}{{}^{3}He}$ 7:$\frac{{}^{4}_{\Lambda}H}{{}^{4}He}$ 8:$\frac{{}^{3}_{\bar{\Lambda}}\bar{H}}{^{3}\bar{He}}$ 9:$\frac{{}^{4}_{\bar{\Lambda}}\bar{H}}{^{4}\bar{He}}$
Production yield ratios of various particles with the same baryon number. Results combining all collision systems in this work are shown by filled stars. Open stars show results with only U+U and Au+Au collisions, while quadrangular stars show results with only Zr+Zr and Ru+Ru collisions. Statistical uncertainties and systematic uncertainties are shown by vertical bars and boxes, respectively. Previous measurement results and thermal model predictions are also shown for comparison. Ratio Typle Index, 0:$\frac{{}^{3}\bar{He}}{{}^{3}He}$ 1:$\frac{{}^{3}\bar{He}}{{}^{3}He}\times\frac{\bar{p}}{p}$ 2:$\frac{{}^{4}\bar{He}}{{}^{4}He}$ 3:$\frac{{}^{3}_{\bar{\Lambda}}\bar{H}}{{}^{3}_{\Lambda}H}$ 4:$\frac{{}^{3}_{\bar{\Lambda}}\bar{H}}{{}^{3}_{\Lambda}H}\times\frac{\bar{p}}{p}$ 5:$\frac{{}^{4}_{\bar{\Lambda}}\bar{H}}{{}^{4}_{\Lambda}H}$ 6:$\frac{{}^{3}_{\Lambda}H}{{}^{3}He}$ 7:$\frac{{}^{4}_{\Lambda}H}{{}^{4}He}$ 8:$\frac{{}^{3}_{\bar{\Lambda}}\bar{H}}{^{3}\bar{He}}$ 9:$\frac{{}^{4}_{\bar{\Lambda}}\bar{H}}{^{4}\bar{He}}$
Production yield ratios of various particles with the same baryon number. Results combining all collision systems in this work are shown by filled stars. Open stars show results with only U+U and Au+Au collisions, while quadrangular stars show results with only Zr+Zr and Ru+Ru collisions. Statistical uncertainties and systematic uncertainties are shown by vertical bars and boxes, respectively. Previous measurement results and thermal model predictions are also shown for comparison. Ratio Typle Index, 0:$\frac{{}^{3}\bar{He}}{{}^{3}He}$ 1:$\frac{{}^{3}\bar{He}}{{}^{3}He}\times\frac{\bar{p}}{p}$ 2:$\frac{{}^{4}\bar{He}}{{}^{4}He}$ 3:$\frac{{}^{3}_{\bar{\Lambda}}\bar{H}}{{}^{3}_{\Lambda}H}$ 4:$\frac{{}^{3}_{\bar{\Lambda}}\bar{H}}{{}^{3}_{\Lambda}H}\times\frac{\bar{p}}{p}$ 5:$\frac{{}^{4}_{\bar{\Lambda}}\bar{H}}{{}^{4}_{\Lambda}H}$ 6:$\frac{{}^{3}_{\Lambda}H}{{}^{3}He}$ 7:$\frac{{}^{4}_{\Lambda}H}{{}^{4}He}$ 8:$\frac{{}^{3}_{\bar{\Lambda}}\bar{H}}{^{3}\bar{He}}$ 9:$\frac{{}^{4}_{\bar{\Lambda}}\bar{H}}{^{4}\bar{He}}$
We report the triton ($t$) production in mid-rapidity ($|y| <$ 0.5) Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}$= 7.7--200 GeV measured by the STAR experiment from the first phase of the beam energy scan at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The nuclear compound yield ratio ($\mathrm{N}_t \times \mathrm{N}_p/\mathrm{N}_d^2$), which is predicted to be sensitive to the fluctuation of local neutron density, is observed to decrease monotonically with increasing charged-particle multiplicity ($dN_{ch}/d\eta$) and follows a scaling behavior. The $dN_{ch}/d\eta$ dependence of the yield ratio is compared to calculations from coalescence and thermal models. Enhancements in the yield ratios relative to the coalescence baseline are observed in the 0%-10% most central collisions at 19.6 and 27 GeV, with a significance of 2.3$\sigma$ and 3.4$\sigma$, respectively, giving a combined significance of 4.1$\sigma$. The enhancements are not observed in peripheral collisions or model calculations without critical fluctuation, and decreases with a smaller $p_{T}$ acceptance. The physics implications of these results on the QCD phase structure and the production mechanism of light nuclei in heavy-ion collisions are discussed.
Invariant p_{T} spectra of primordial antiprotons in Au+Au collisions at SQRT(s_NN) = 11.5 GeV at 40-80% centrality
Measurements of the differential cross-section and the transverse single-spin asymmetry, A_N, vs. x_F for pi0 and eta mesons are reported for 0.4 < x_F < 0.75 at an average pseudorapidity of 3.68. A data sample of approximately 6.3 pb^{-1} was analyzed, which was recorded during p+p collisions at sqrt{s} = 200 GeV by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The average transverse beam polarization was 56%. The cross-section for pi0 is consistent with a perturbative QCD prediction, and the eta/pi0 cross-section ratio agrees with previous mid-rapidity measurements. For 0.55 < x_F < 0.75, A_N for eta (0.210 +- 0.056) is 2.2 standard deviations larger than A_N for pi0 (0.081 +- 0.016).
Differential production cross-sections for $\pi^0$ and $\eta$ at average pseudorapidity of 3.68. Also shown are the previously published STAR results for similar kinematics [21] and a NLO pQCD calculation of the π0 cross-section [32]. The error band represents the uncertainty in the calculation due to scale variations.
The $\eta$ to $\pi^0$ cross-section ratio is shown in the bottom panel. The error bars indicate the total statistical and systematic uncertainties.