Incoherent J/$ψ$ photoproduction in heavy ion ultraperipheral collisions (UPCs) provides a sensitive probe of localized, fluctuating gluonic structures within heavy nuclei. This study reports the first measurement of the photon-nucleon center-of-mass energy ($W_{γ\mathrm{N}}$) dependence of this process in PbPb UPCs at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV, using 1.52 nb$^{-1}$ of data recorded by the CMS experiment. The measurement covers a wide $W_{γ\mathrm{N}}$ range of $\approx$ 40-400 GeV, probing gluons carrying a fraction $x$ of nucleon momentum down to an unexplored region of 6.5 $\times$ 10$^{-5}$. Compared to baseline predictions neglecting nuclear effects, the measured cross sections exhibit significantly greater suppression at lower $x$. Additionally, the ratio of incoherent to coherent photoproduction is found to be constant across the probed $W_{γ\mathrm{N}}$ and $x$ range, disfavoring the establishment of the black disk limit. This study provides critical insights into the $x$-dependent evolution of fluctuating gluonic structures within nuclei and calls for further advancements in theoretical models incorporating nuclear shadowing and gluon saturation.
The differential incoherent $\mathrm{J}/\psi$ photoproduction cross section as a function of $|y|$, in different neutron multiplicity classes.
The differential incoherent $\mathrm{J}/\psi$ photoproduction cross section as a function of $y$, in different neutron multiplicity classes.
The incoherent $\mathrm{J}/\psi$ photoproduction cross section as a function of photon-nuclear center-of-mass energy per nucleon $W_{\gamma \mathrm{N}}^{\mathrm{Pb}}$ or Bjorken $x$, measured in PbPb ultra-peripheral collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV. The $W_{\gamma \mathrm{N}}^{\mathrm{Pb}}$ values used correspond to the center of each rapidity range. The theoretical uncertainties is due to the uncertainties in the photon flux.
This paper presents the primary charged-particle multiplicity distributions in proton-lead collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collision of $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV. The distributions are reported for non-single diffractive collisions in different pseudorapidity ranges. The measurements are performed using the combined information from the Silicon Pixel Detector and the Forward Multiplicity Detector of ALICE. The multiplicity distributions are parametrised with a double negative binomial distribution function which provides satisfactory descriptions of the distributions for all the studied pseudorapidity intervals. The data are compared to models and analysed quantitatively, evaluating the first four moments (mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis). The shape evolution of the measured multiplicity distributions is studied in terms of KNO variables and it is found that none of the considered models reproduces the measurements. This paper also reports on the average charged-particle multiplicity, normalised by the average number of participating nucleon pairs, as a function of the collision energy. The multiplicity results are then compared to measurements made in proton-proton and nucleus-nucleus collisions across a wide range of collision energies.
Charged-particle multiplicity distributions for different pseudorapidity intervals measured in NSD p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5020~\mathrm{GeV}$.
The pseudorapidity dependence of the double NBD parameters $\langle n \rangle_1$, $\langle n \rangle_2$, $k_1$, and $k_2$ in NSD p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5020~\mathrm{GeV}$.
First four moments ($\langle N_{\mathrm{ch}}\rangle$, $\sigma$, $S$, and $\kappa$) of charged-particle multiplicity distributions for different pseudorapidity intervals in NSD p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5020~\mathrm{GeV}$.
The jet axis decorrelation in inclusive jets is studied using lead-lead (PbPb) collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 5.02 TeV. The jet axis decorrelation is defined as the angular difference between two definitions of the jet axis. It is obtained by applying two recombination schemes on all the constituents of a given jet reconstructed by the anti-$k_\mathrm{T}$ sequential algorithm with a distance parameter of $R$ = 0.4. The data set, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.66 nb$^{-1}$, was collected in 2018 with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The jet axis decorrelations are examined across collision centrality selections and intervals of jet transverse momentum. A centrality dependent evolution of the measured distributions is observed, with a progressive narrowing seen in more central events. This narrowing could result from medium-induced modification of the internal jet structure or reflect color charge effects in energy loss. This new measurement probes jet substructure in previously unexplored kinematic domains and show great promise for providing new insights on the color charge dependence of energy loss to jet-quenching models.
The unfolded jet axis decorrelation distribution,$\frac{1}{N} \frac{dN}{d\Delta j}$, as a function of $\Delta j$ for the $0-10\%$, $10-30\%$, $30-50\%$, and $50-80\%$ centrality bins in the $120 < p_{\mathrm{T}} < 150$ GeV interval.
The unfolded jet axis decorrelation distribution,$\frac{1}{N} \frac{dN}{d\Delta j}$, as a function of $\Delta j$ for the $0-10\%$, $10-30\%$, $30-50\%$, and $50-80\%$ centrality bins in the $150 < p_{\mathrm{T}} < 190$ GeV interval.
The unfolded jet axis decorrelation distribution,$\frac{1}{N} \frac{dN}{d\Delta j}$, as a function of $\Delta j$ for the $0-10\%$, $10-30\%$, $30-50\%$, and $50-80\%$ centrality bins in the $190 < p_{\mathrm{T}} < 230$ GeV interval.
Charged hadron elliptic anisotropies ($v_2$) are presented over a wide transverse momentum ($p_\text{T}$) range for proton-lead (pPb) and lead-lead (PbPb) collisions at nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energies of 8.16 and 5.02 TeV, respectively. The data were recorded by the CMS experiment and correspond to integrated luminosities of 186 nb$^{-1}$ and 0.607 nb$^{-1}$ for the pPb and PbPb systems, respectively. A four-particle cumulant analysis is performed using subevents separated in pseudorapidity to effectively suppress non-collective effects. At high $p_\text{T}$ ($p_\text{T}$$\gt$ 8 GeV), significant positive $v_2$ values are observed that are similar between pPb and PbPb collisions at comparable charged particle multiplicities. This observation suggests a common origin for the multi-particle collectivity for high-$p_\text{T}$ particles in the two systems.
The elliptic anisotropy $v_2\{4\}$ for charged hadron as a function of $p_T$ in pPb collisions at 8.16 TeV in $185 \le N_{trk}^{offline} <250$.
The elliptic anisotropy $v_2\{4\}$ for charged hadron as a function of $p_T$ in PbPb collisions at 5.02 TeV in $185 \le N_{trk}^{offline} <250$.
The elliptic anisotropy $v_2\{4\}$ as a function of $p_T$ with 4-subevent method compared between pPb collisions at 8.16 TeV and PbPb collisions at 5.02 TeV in $185 \le N_{trk}^{offline} <250$.
Correlations between event-by-event fluctuations of anisotropic flow harmonics are measured in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 5.02 TeV, as recorded by the ALICE detector at the LHC. This study presents correlations up to the hexagonal flow harmonic, $v_6$, which was measured for the first time. The magnitudes of these higher-order correlations are found to vary as a function of collision centrality and harmonic order. These measurements are compared to viscous hydrodynamic model calculations with EKRT initial conditions and to the iEBE-VISHNU model with TRENTo initial conditions. The observed discrepancies between the data and the model calculations vary depending on the harmonic combinations. Due to the sensitivity of model parameters estimated with Bayesian analyses to these higher-order observables, the results presented in this work provide new and independent constraints on the initial conditions and transport properties in theoretical models used to describe the system created in heavy-ion collisions.
NSC(5,2) vs centrality in Pb-Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV
NSC(5,3) vs centrality in Pb-Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV
NSC(6,2) vs centrality in Pb-Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV
Measurements of light-by-light scattering (LbL, $γγ$$\to$$γγ$) and the Breit-Wheeler process (BW, $γγ$$\to$$\mathrm{e^+e^-}$) are reported in ultraperipheral PbPb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 5.02 TeV. The data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.7 nb$^{-1}$, was collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC in 2018. Events with an exclusively produced $γγ$ or $\mathrm{e^+e^-}$ pair with invariant masses $m^{γγ,\mathrm{ee}}$$>$ 5 GeV, along with other fiducial criteria, are selected. The measured BW fiducial production cross section, $σ_\text{fid}$($γγ$$\to$$\mathrm{e^+e^-}$) = 263.5 $\pm$ 1.8 (stat) $\pm$ 17.8 (syst) $μ$b, as well as the differential distributions for various kinematic observables, are in agreement with leading-order quantum electrodynamics predictions complemented with final-state photon radiation. The measured differential BW cross sections allow discriminating between different theoretical descriptions of the photon flux of the lead ion. In the LbL final state, 26 exclusive diphoton candidate events are observed compared with 12.0 $\pm$ 2.9 expected for the background. Combined with previous results, the observed significance of the LbL signal with respect to the background-only hypothesis is above five standard deviations. The measured fiducial LbL scattering cross section, $σ_\text{fid} (γγ$$\to$$γγ)$ = 107 $\pm$ 24 (stat) $\pm$ 13 (syst) nb, is in agreement with next-to-leading-order predictions. Limits on the production of axion-like particles coupled to photons are set over the mass range 5-100 GeV, including the most stringent limits to date in the range of 5-10 GeV.
Probability for different neutron multiplicity classes (0n, 1n, and Xn with X $\ge$1) measured on each ZDC side for the exclusive $e^{+}e^{-}$ events passing the fiducial phase space of Table 1. The measured ratios are compared with SUPERCHIC 4.2, STARLIGHT 3.13, and gamma-UPC 1.6 predictions.
Differential cross sections for exclusive dielectron production, in the fiducial phase space of Table 1, as functions of the pair $p_T$. Data are compared with SUPERCHIC + FSR(PHOTOS++), STARLIGHT + FSR(PY8), and gamma-UPC + FSR(PY8) predictions.
Differential cross sections for exclusive dielectron production, in the fiducial phase space of Table 1, as functions of the pair rapidity. Data are compared with SUPERCHIC + FSR(PHOTOS++), STARLIGHT + FSR(PY8), and gamma-UPC + FSR(PY8) predictions.
Top-quark pair production is observed in lead-lead (Pb+Pb) collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=5.02$ TeV at the Large Hadron Collider with the ATLAS detector. The data sample was recorded in 2015 and 2018, amounting to an integrated luminosity of 1.9 nb$^{-1}$. Events with exactly one electron and one muon and at least two jets are selected. Top-quark pair production is measured with an observed (expected) significance of 5.0 (4.1) standard deviations. The measured top-quark pair production cross-section is $\sigma_{t\bar{t}} = 3.6\;^{+1.0}_{-0.9}\;\mathrm{(stat.)}\;^{+0.8}_{-0.5}\;\mathrm{(syst.)} ~\mathrm{\mu b}$, with a total relative uncertainty of 31%, and is consistent with theoretical predictions using a range of different nuclear parton distribution functions. The observation of this process consolidates the evidence of the existence of all quark flavors in the pre-equilibrium stage of the quark-gluon plasma at very high energy densities, similar to the conditions present in the early universe.
The figure shows the post-fit distribution of events as a function of the dilepton invariant mass ($m_{e\mu}$), in lead-lead (Pb+Pb) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV, with an integrated luminosity of 1.9 nb$^{-1}$. The data correspond to the SR1 (Signal Region 1 (SR\(_1\)):} Events with exactly one muon and one oppositely charged electron, a dilepton invariant mass \( m_{e\mu} \geq 30 \, \mathrm{GeV} \), at least two jets with \( p_T \geq 35 \, \mathrm{GeV} \), and a dilepton transverse momentum \( p_T^{e\mu} > 40 \, \mathrm{GeV} \). This region is expected to be signal-dominated) channel in a pre-fit configuration. The stacked histograms represent different processes contributing to the event yield.
The figure shows the post-fit distribution of events as a function of the dilepton invariant mass ($m_{e\mu}$), in lead-lead (Pb+Pb) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV, with an integrated luminosity of 1.9 nb$^{-1}$. The data correspond to the SR2 (Signal Region 2 (SR\(_2\)):} Events meeting the same criteria as SR\(_1\), but with a dilepton transverse momentum \( p_T^{e\mu} \leq 40 \, \mathrm{GeV} \). This region includes events with a lower \( p_T^{e\mu} \) and has a larger background contribution) channel in a pre-fit configuration. The stacked histograms represent different processes contributing to the event yield.
The impact of systematic uncertainties on the fitted signal-strength parameter $\hat{\mu}$ for the combined fit of all channels. Only the 10 most significant systematic uncertainties are shown and listed in decreasing order of their impact on $\mu$ on the $y$-axis. The empty (filled) blue/cyan boxes correspond to the pre-fit (post-fit) impact on $\mu$, referring to the upper $x$-axis. The impact of each systematic uncertainty, $\Delta \mu$, is calculated by comparing the nominal best-fit value of $\mu$ with the result of the fit when fixing the corresponding nuisance parameter $\theta$ to its best-fit value $\hat{\theta}$ shifted by its pre-fit (post-fit) uncertainties $\hat{\theta} \pm \Delta \theta(\hat{\theta} \pm \Delta \hat{\theta})$. The black points, which refer to the lower $x$-axis, show the pulls of the fitted nuisance parameters, i.e., the deviations of the fitted parameters $\hat{\theta}$ from their nominal values $\theta_0$, normalized to their nominal uncertainties $\Delta \theta$. The black lines show the post-fit uncertainties of the nuisance parameters, relative to their nominal uncertainties, which are indicated by the dashed lines.
Event-by-event fluctuations of the event-wise mean transverse momentum, $\langle p_{\mathrm{T}}\rangle$, of charged particles produced in proton$-$proton (pp) collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV, Xe$-$Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} =$ 5.44 TeV, and Pb$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} =$ 5.0 TeV are studied using the ALICE detector based on the integral correlator $\langle\langle Δp_{\rm T}Δp_{\rm T}\rangle\rangle $. The correlator strength is found to decrease monotonically with increasing produced charged-particle multiplicity measured at midrapidity in all three systems. In Xe$-$Xe and Pb$-$Pb collisions, the multiplicity dependence of the correlator deviates significantly from a simple power-law scaling as well as from the predictions of the HIJING and AMPT models. The observed deviation from power-law scaling is expected from transverse radial flow in semicentral to central Xe$-$Xe and Pb$-$Pb collisions. In pp collisions, the correlation strength is also studied by classifying the events based on the transverse spherocity, $S_0$, of the particle production at midrapidity, used as a proxy for the presence of a pronounced back-to-back jet topology. Low-spherocity (jetty) events feature a larger correlation strength than those with high spherocity (isotropic). The strength and multiplicity dependence of jetty and isotropic events are well reproduced by calculations with the PYTHIA 8 and EPOS LHC models.
Normalized transverse momentum correlator, $\sqrt{ \langle\langle \Delta p_{{\rm T}1}\Delta p_{{\rm T}2} \rangle\rangle }$$/\langle\langle p_{\rm T} \rangle\rangle $, as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity density, $\langle{\rm d}N_{\rm ch}/{\rm d}\eta \rangle$, in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV.
Normalized transverse momentum correlator, $\sqrt{ \langle\langle \Delta p_{{\rm T}1}\Delta p_{{\rm T}2} \rangle\rangle }$$/\langle\langle p_{\rm T} \rangle\rangle $, as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity density, $\langle{\rm d}N_{\rm ch}/{\rm d}\eta \rangle$, in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV.
Normalized transverse momentum correlator, $\sqrt{ \langle\langle \Delta p_{{\rm T}1}\Delta p_{{\rm T}2} \rangle\rangle }$$/\langle\langle p_{\rm T} \rangle\rangle $, as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity density, $\langle{\rm d}N_{\rm ch}/{\rm d}\eta \rangle$, in Xe--Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.44 TeV.
The first measurements of proton emission accompanied by neutron emission in the electromagnetic dissociation (EMD) of $^{208}$Pb nuclei in the ALICE experiment at the LHC are presented. The EMD protons and neutrons emitted at very forward rapidities are detected by the proton and neutron Zero Degree Calorimeters of the ALICE experiment. The emission cross sections of zero, one, two, and three protons accompanied by at least one neutron were measured in ultraperipheral $^{208}$Pb--$^{208}$Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV. The 0p and 3p cross sections are described by the RELDIS model within their measurement uncertainties, while the 1p and 2p cross sections are underestimated by the model by 17-25%. According to this model, these 0p, 1p, 2p, and 3p cross sections are associated, respectively, with the production of various isotopes of Pb, Tl, Hg, and Au in the EMD of $^{208}$Pb. The cross sections of the emission of a single proton accompanied by the emission of one, two, or three neutrons in EMD were also measured. The data are significantly overestimated by the RELDIS model, which predicts that the (1p,1n), (1p,2n), and (1p,3n) cross sections are very similar to the cross sections for the production of the thallium isotopes $^{206,205,204}$Tl.
Measured cross sections of the emission of a given number of protons k accompanied by at least one neutron i in UPC of Pb nuclei.
Measured cross sections of the emission of a given number of neutrons i accompanied by a single proton in UPC of Pb nuclei.
Differential two-particle normalized cumulants ($R_2$) and transverse momentum correlations ($P_2$) are measured as a function of the relative pseudorapidity and azimuthal angle difference $( \Delta \eta, \Delta \varphi )$ of charged particle pairs in minimum bias pp collisions at $\sqrt{\textit{s}}$ = 13 TeV. The measurements use charged hadrons in the pseudorapidity region of $|\eta| < 0.8$ and the transverse momentum range 0.2 $< \textit{p}_{\mathrm T} < $ 2.0 $\mathrm{GeV}/\textit{c}$ in order to focus on soft multiparticle interactions and to complement prior measurements of these correlation functions in p-Pb and Pb-Pb collisions. The correlation functions are reported for both unlike-sign and like-sign pairs and their charge-independent and charge-dependent combinations. Both the $R_2$ and $P_2$ measured in pp collisions exhibit features qualitatively similar to those observed in p-Pb and Pb-Pb collisions. The $\Delta\eta$ and $\Delta\varphi$ root mean square widths of the near-side peak of the correlation functions are evaluated and compared with those observed in p-Pb and Pb-Pb collisions and show smooth evolution with the multiplicity of charged particles produced in the collision. The comparison of the measured correlation functions with predictions from PYTHIA8 shows that this model qualitatively captures their basic structure and characteristics but feature important differences. In addition, the $R_2^{\rm CD}$ is used to determine the charge balance function of hadrons produced within the detector acceptance of the measurements. The integral of the balance function is found to be compatible with those reported by a previous measurement in Pb-Pb collisions. These results, which are sensitive to the interplay between the underlying event and mini-jets in pp collisions, establish a baseline for heavy-ion collisions.
Correlation functions $R_2^{\rm US}$ of charged hadrons measured in minimum bias pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13\;\text{TeV}$. Charged hadrons are selected in the range $0.2 < p_{\rm T} < 2.0$ GeV/$c$ and with pseudorapidity $|\eta| < 0.8$.
Correlation functions $R_2^{\rm LS}$ of charged hadrons measured in minimum bias pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13\;\text{TeV}$. Charged hadrons are selected in the range $0.2 < p_{\rm T} < 2.0$ GeV/$c$ and with pseudorapidity $|\eta| < 0.8$.
Correlation functions $P_2^{\rm US}$ of charged hadrons measured in minimum bias pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13\;\text{TeV}$. Charged hadrons are selected in the range $0.2 < p_{\rm T} < 2.0$ GeV/$c$ and with pseudorapidity $|\eta| < 0.8$.
Forum