Observation of Global Spin Alignment of $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ Vector Mesons in Nuclear Collisions

The STAR collaboration Abdallah, M.S. ; Aboona, B.E. ; Adam, J. ; et al.
Nature 614 (2023) 244-248, 2023.
Inspire Record 2063245 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.129067

Notwithstanding decades of progress since Yukawa first developed a description of the force between nucleons in terms of meson exchange, a full understanding of the strong interaction remains a major challenge in modern science. One remaining difficulty arises from the non-perturbative nature of the strong force, which leads to the phenomenon of quark confinement at distances on the order of the size of the proton. Here we show that in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, where quarks and gluons are set free over an extended volume, two species of produced vector (spin-1) mesons, namely $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$, emerge with a surprising pattern of global spin alignment. In particular, the global spin alignment for $\phi$ is unexpectedly large, while that for $K^{*0}$ is consistent with zero. The observed spin-alignment pattern and magnitude for the $\phi$ cannot be explained by conventional mechanisms, while a model with a connection to strong force fields, i.e. an effective proxy description within the Standard Model and Quantum Chromodynamics, accommodates the current data. This connection, if fully established, will open a potential new avenue for studying the behaviour of strong force fields.

38 data tables

Global spin alignment of $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ vector mesons in heavy-ion collisions. The measured matrix element $\rho_{00}$ as a function of beam energy for the $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ vector mesons within the indicated windows of centrality, transverse momentum ($p_T$) and rapidity ($y$). The open symbols indicate ALICE results for Pb+Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV at $p_{T}$ values of 2.0 and 1.4 GeV/c for the $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ mesons, respectively, corresponding to the $p_{T}$ bin nearest to the mean $p_{T}$ for the 1.0 – 5.0 GeV/$c$ range assumed for each meson in the present analysis. The red solid curve is a fit to data in the range of $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 19.6$ to 200 GeV, based on a theoretical calculation with a $\phi$-meson field. Parameter sensitivity of $\rho_{00}$ to the $\phi$-meson field is shown in Ref.5. The red dashed line is an extension of the solid curve with the fitted parameter $G_s^{(y)}$. The black dashed line represents $\rho_{00}=1/3.$

Global spin alignment of $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ vector mesons in heavy-ion collisions. The measured matrix element $\rho_{00}$ as a function of beam energy for the $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ vector mesons within the indicated windows of centrality, transverse momentum ($p_T$) and rapidity ($y$). The open symbols indicate ALICE results for Pb+Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV at $p_{T}$ values of 2.0 and 1.4 GeV/c for the $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ mesons, respectively, corresponding to the $p_{T}$ bin nearest to the mean $p_{T}$ for the 1.0 – 5.0 GeV/$c$ range assumed for each meson in the present analysis. The red solid curve is a fit to data in the range of $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 19.6$ to 200 GeV, based on a theoretical calculation with a $\phi$-meson field. Parameter sensitivity of $\rho_{00}$ to the $\phi$-meson field is shown in Ref.5. The red dashed line is an extension of the solid curve with the fitted parameter $G_s^{(y)}$. The black dashed line represents $\rho_{00}=1/3.$

Example of combinatorial background subtracted invariant mass distributions and the extracted yields as a function of $\cos \theta^*$ for $\phi$ and $K^{*0}$ mesons. \textbf{a)} example of $\phi \rightarrow K^+ + K^-$ invariant mass distributions, with combinatorial background subtracted, integrated over $\cos \theta^*$; \textbf{b)} example of $K^{*0} (\overline{K^{*0}}) \rightarrow K^{-} \pi^{+} (K^{+} \pi^{-})$ invariant mass distributions, with combinatorial background subtracted, integrated over $\cos \theta^*$; \textbf{c)} extracted yields of $\phi$ as a function of $\cos \theta^*$; \textbf{d)} extracted yields of $K^{*0}$ as a function of $\cos \theta^*$.

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Two-pion Bose-Einstein correlations in central PbPb collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 2.76 TeV

The ALICE collaboration Aamodt, K. ; Abrahantes Quintana, A. ; Adamova, D. ; et al.
Phys.Lett.B 696 (2011) 328-337, 2011.
Inspire Record 881884 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.56743

The first measurement of two-pion Bose-Einstein correlations in central Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV at the Large Hadron Collider is presented. We observe a growing trend with energy now not only for the longitudinal and the outward but also for the sideward pion source radius. The pion homogeneity volume and the decoupling time are significantly larger than those measured at RHIC.

14 data tables

Projections of the correlation function C.

Projections of the correlation function C.

Projections of the correlation function C.

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Midrapidity antiproton-to-proton ratio in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 0.9$ and $7$~TeV measured by the ALICE experiment

The ALICE collaboration Aamodt, K. ; Abel, N. ; Abeysekara, U. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Lett. 105 (2010) 072002, 2010.
Inspire Record 859610 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.55557

The ratio of the yields of antiprotons to protons in pp collisions has been measured by the ALICE experiment at $\sqrt{s} = 0.9$ and $7$ TeV during the initial running periods of the Large Hadron Collider(LHC). The measurement covers the transverse momentum interval $0.45 < p_{\rm{t}} < 1.05$ GeV/$c$ and rapidity $|y| < 0.5$. The ratio is measured to be $R_{|y| < 0.5} = 0.957 \pm 0.006 (stat.) \pm 0.014 (syst.)$ at $0.9$ TeV and $R_{|y| < 0.5} = 0.991 \pm 0.005 (stat.) \pm 0.014 (syst.)$ at $7$ TeV and it is independent of both rapidity and transverse momentum. The results are consistent with the conventional model of baryon-number transport and set stringent limits on any additional contributions to baryon-number transfer over very large rapidity intervals in pp collisions.

2 data tables

The PT dependence of the pbar/p ratio for the central rapidity region ABS(YRAP)<0.5.

The central rapidity pbar/p ratio as a function of the rapidity interval Ybeam-Ybaryon and centre-of-mass energy. As well as the present ALICE measurements this table also lists the values from other experiments (see the text of the paper for details).


Lambda and Antilambda polarization from deep inelastic muon scattering

The E665 collaboration Adams, M.R. ; Aderholz, M. ; Aid, S. ; et al.
Eur.Phys.J.C 17 (2000) 263-267, 2000.
Inspire Record 509690 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.43315

We report results of the first measurements of Lambda and Antilambda polarization produced in deep inelastic polarized muon scattering on the nucleon. The results are consistent with an expected trend towards positive polarization with increasing x_F. The polarizations of Lambda and Antilambda appear to have opposite signs. A large negative polarization for Lambda at low positive x_F is observed and is not explained by existing models.A possible interpretation is presented.

2 data tables

The measured and corrected (undiluted) polarizations.

The measured and corrected (undiluted) polarizations.


Inclusive single-particle distributions and transverse momenta of forward produced charged hadrons in mu p scattering at 470-GeV

The E665 collaboration Adams, M.R. ; Aderholz, M. ; Aid, S. ; et al.
Z.Phys.C 76 (1997) 441-463, 1997.
Inspire Record 450187 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.37889

Using data from the Fermilab fixed target experiment E665, general properties of forward produced charged hadrons in μp interactions at a primary muon energy of 470 GeV are investigated. The normalized inclusive singleparticle distributions for Feynman-x D(xF ) and for the transverse momentum D(p2t , xF ) are measured as a function of W and Q2. The dependence of the average transverse momentum squared 〈p2t〉 on xF , W and Q2 is studied. The increasing contribution from diffractive production as Q2 decreases leads to a reduction of the average charged hadron multiplicities at low (positive) xF and an enhancement at large xF , for Q2 ≲ 10 GeV2. It also reduces 〈p2t〉 for Q2 ≲ 5 GeV2 and 0.4 ≲ xF < 1.0.

35 data tables

Normalised inclusive single particle distributions of charged hadrons for all events in W intervals. Additional systematic uncertainty of 4 PCT.

Normalised inclusive single particle distributions of charged hadrons for all events in Q**2 intervals. Additional systematic uncertainty of 4 PCT.

Normalised inclusive single particle distributions of charged hadrons for all events in X (Bjorken) intervals. Additional systematic uncertainty of 4 PCT.

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Diffractive production of rho0 (770) mesons in muon - proton interactions at 470-GeV

The E665 collaboration Adams, M.R. ; Aderholz, M. ; Aïd, S. ; et al.
Z.Phys.C 74 (1997) 237-261, 1997.
Inspire Record 441201 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.14214

The diffractive production of ρ0(770 @#@) mesons in muon-proton interactions is studied in the kinematic region 0.15 GeV2< Q2< 20 GeV2 and 20 GeV < ? < 420 GeV. The data were obtained in the Fermilab fixed-target experiment E665 with primary muons of 470 GeV energy. Results are presented on the Q2, x and ? dependence of the cross section, on the shape of the ρ+ρt - mass spectrum, on the slope of the diffraction peak and on the production and decay angular distributions of the ρ0(770). The cross section for diffractive production of ρ0 by virtual photons on protons depends mainly on Q2. At fixed Q2, no significant dependence on x or ? is observed. The extrapolation to Q2 = 0 yields a photoproduction cross section of (10.30 ± 0.33) μb. The slope of the t′ distribution has a value of (7.0 ± 0.2) GeV−2, with a tendency to decrease as Q2 increases. The production and decay angular distributions of the ρ0 depend strongly on Q2 and are consistent with s-channel helicity conservation. The ratio R = σl/σt deduced from the decay angular distributions rises strongly with Q2, passing the value of 1 at Q2≈ 2 GeV2.

14 data tables

Statistical errors only.

Statistical errors only.

Cross section extrapolated to Q**2 = 0.

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Proton and deuteron structure functions in muon scattering at 470-GeV

The E665 collaboration Adams, M.R. ; Aid, S. ; Anthony, P.L. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.D 54 (1996) 3006-3056, 1996.
Inspire Record 416076 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.42347

The proton and deuteron structure functions F2p and F2d are measured in inelastic muon scattering with an average beam energy of 470 GeV. The data were taken at Fermilab experiment E665 during 1991 and 1992 using liquid hydrogen and deuterium targets. The F2 measurements are reported in the range 0.0008<x<0.6 and 0.2<Q2<75 GeV2. These are the first precise measurements of F2 in the low x and Q2 range of the data. In the high x range of the data where they overlap in x and Q2 with the measurements from NMC, the two measurements are in agreement. The E665 data also overlap in x with the DESY HERA data, and there is a smooth connection in Q2 between the two data sets. At high Q2 the E665 measurements are consistent with QCD-evolved leading twist structure function models. The data are qualitatively described by structure function models incorporating the hadronic nature of the photon at low Q2. The Q2 and the W dependence of the data measure the transition in the nature of the photon between a pointlike probe at high Q2 and a hadronic object at low Q2.

34 data tables

No description provided.

No description provided.

No description provided.

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Measurement of the heavy quark forward - backward asymmetries and average B mixing using leptons in multi - hadronic events

The OPAL collaboration Alexander, G. ; Allison, John ; Altekamp, N. ; et al.
Z.Phys.C 70 (1996) 357-370, 1996.
Inspire Record 404106 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.48046

None

2 data tables

No description provided.

No description provided.


Extraction of the ratio F2(n) / F2(p) from muon - deuteron and muon - proton scattering at small x and Q**2

The E665 collaboration Adams, M.R. ; Aid, S. ; Anthony, P.L. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Lett. 75 (1995) 1466-1470, 1995.
Inspire Record 393866 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.42379

The ratio of the deuteron to proton structure functions is measured at very small Bjorken x (down to 10–6) and for Q2>0.001 GeV2 from scattering of 470 GeV muons on liquid hydrogen and deuterium targets. The ratio F2n/F2p extracted from these measurements is found to be constant, at a value of 0.935±0.008±0.034, for x<0.01. This result suggests the presence of nuclear shadowing effects in the deuteron. The dependence of the ratio on Q2 is also examined; no significant variation is found.

2 data tables

F2(N) / F2(P) = 2F2(DEUT)/F2(P) - 1.

F2(N) / F2(P) = 2F2(DEUT)/F2(P) - 1. The systematic uncertainty in the Q**2 dependece is negligible as compared to the statistical uncertainty.


Production of neutral strange particles in muon - nucleon scattering at 490-GeV

The E665 collaboration Adams, M.R. ; Aderholz, M. ; Aïd, S. ; et al.
Z.Phys.C 61 (1994) 539-550, 1994.
Inspire Record 362429 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.42473

The production ofK0, Λ and\(\bar \Lambda \) particles is studied in the E665 muon-nucleon experiment at Fermilab. The average multiplicities and squared transverse momenta are measured as a function ofxF andW2. Most features of the data can be well described by the Lund model. Within this model, the data on the K0/π± ratios and on the averageK0 multiplicity in the forward region favor a strangeness suppression factors/u in the fragmentation process near 0.20. Clear evidence for QCD effects is seen in the average squared transverse momentum ofK0 and Λ particles.

10 data tables

No description provided.

No description provided.

No description provided.

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