Partonic collectivity is one of the necessary signatures for the formation of Quark-Gluon-Plasma in high-energy nuclear collisions. Number of Constituent Quarks (NCQ) scaling has been observed for light hadron elliptic flow $v_2$ in top energy nuclear collisions at RHIC and the LHC, and this has been theoretically suggested as strong evidence for partonic collectivity. In this letter, a systematic analysis of $v_2$ of $\pi^{\pm}$, $K^{\pm}$, $K^{0}_{S}$, $p$ and $\Lambda$ in Au+Au collisions at ${\sqrt{s_{_{\rm{NN}}}}}$ = 3.2, 3.5, 3.9, and 4.5 GeV, with the STAR experiment at RHIC, is presented. NCQ scaling is markedly violated at 3.2 GeV, consistent with a hadronic-interaction dominated equation of state. However, as the collision energy increases, a gradual evolution to NCQ scaling is observed. This beam-energy dependence of $v_2$ for all hadrons studied provides evidence for the onset of dominant partonic interactions by ${\sqrt{s_{_{\rm{NN}}}}}$ = 4.5 GeV.
$p_{T}$ dependence of $v_{2}$ for $\pi^{+}$ in Au+Au collisions at 3 GeV
$p_{T}$ dependence of $v_{2}$ for $\pi^{+}$ in Au+Au collisions at 3.2 GeV
$p_{T}$ dependence of $v_{2}$ for $\pi^{+}$ in Au+Au collisions at 3.5 GeV
The STAR Collaboration reports precise measurements of the longitudinal double-spin asymmetry, $A_{LL}$, for dijet production with at least one jet at intermediate pseudorapidity $0.8 < η_{\rm jet} < 1.8$ in polarized proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 200 GeV. This study explores partons scattered with a longitudinal momentum fraction ($x$) from 0.01 to 0.5, which are predominantly characterized by interactions between high-$x$ valence quarks and low-$x$ gluons. The results are in good agreement with previous measurements at 200 GeV with improved precision and are found to be consistent with the predictions of global analyses that find the gluon polarization to be positive. In contrast, the negative gluon polarization solution from the JAM Collaboration is found to be strongly disfavored.
$A_{LL}$ as a function of parton-level invariant mass for dijets with the East barrel-endcap.
$A_{LL}$ as a function of parton-level invariant mass for dijets with the West barrel-endcap.
$A_{LL}$ as a function of parton-level invariant mass for dijets with the endcap-endcap.
We report the measurements of proton-deuteron ($p$-$d$) and deuteron-deuteron ($d$-$d$) correlation functions in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}$ = 3 GeV using fixed-target mode with the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC). For the first time, the source size ($R_{G}$), scattering length ($f_{0}$), and effective range ($d_{0}$) are extracted from the measured correlation functions with a simultaneous fit. The spin-averaged $f_0$ for $p$-$d$ and $d$-$d$ interactions are determined to be -5.28 $\pm$ 0.11(stat.) $\pm$ 0.82(syst.) fm and -2.62 $\pm$ 0.02(stat.) $\pm$ 0.24(syst.) fm, respectively. The measured $p$-$d$ interaction is consistent with theoretical calculations and low-energy scattering experiment results, demonstrating the feasibility of extracting interaction parameters using the femtoscopy technique. The reasonable agreement between the experimental data and the calculations from the transport model indicates that deuteron production in these collisions is primarily governed by nucleon coalescence.
Proton-Deuteron correlation function in 3 GeV Au+Au collisions.
Deuteron-Deuteron correlation function in 3 GeV Au+Au collisions.
Source size of p-d and d-d correlation function
We report the first inclusive photon measurements about mid-rapidity (|y|<0.5) from Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_{NN}) = 130 GeV at RHIC. Photon pair conversions were reconstructed from electron and positron tracks measured with the Time Projection Chamber (TPC) of the STAR experiment. With this method, an energy resolution of Delta(E)/E = 2% at 0.5 GeV has been achieved. Reconstructed photons have also been used to measure the transverse momentum (pt) spectra of pi0 mesons about mid-rapidity (|y|<1) via the pi0 -> photon photon decay channel. The fractional contribution of the pi0 -> photon photon decay to the inclusive photon spectrum decreases by 20% +/- 5% between pt = 1.65 GeV/c and pt = 2.4 GeV/c in the most central events, indicating that relative to pi0 -> photon photon decay the contribution of other photon sources is substantially increasing.
Data for the electron-positron invariant mass plots
dE/dx deviant distributions of positive daughters
Data for the number of reconstructed photon conversions as a function of conversion location plots
We report the first observations of the first harmonic (directed flow, v_1), and the fourth harmonic (v_4), in the azimuthal distribution of particles with respect to the reaction plane in Au+Au collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Both measurements were done taking advantage of the large elliptic flow (v_2) generated at RHIC. From the correlation of v_2 with v_1 it is determined that v_2 is positive, or {\it in-plane}. The integrated v_4 is about a factor of 10 smaller than v_2. For the sixth (v_6) and eighth (v_8) harmonics upper limits on the magnitudes are reported.
$v_1$ of charged particles as a function of pseudorapidity for 10-70% centrality. Non-flow systematic uncertainties are approximately 20%.
$v_2$ with respect to the second harmonic event plane as a function of $p_T$ for the minimum bias Au+Au collisions. Background from secondary particles is expected to be less than 15%. Non-flow systematic uncertainties are approximately 20%. Fluctuations in initial geometry can lead to an effect of about a factor of 1.2 to 1.5.
$v_4$ with respect to the second harmonic event plane as a function of $p_T$ for the minimum bias Au+Au collisions. Background from secondary particles is expected to be less than 15%. Non-flow systematic uncertainties are approximately 20%. Fluctuations in initial geometry can lead to an effect of about a factor of 1.2 to 1.5.
Measurements of the production of forward high-energy pi0 mesons from transversely polarized proton collisions at \sqrt{s}=200 GeV are reported. The cross section is generally consistent with next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations. The analyzing power is small at x_F below about 0.3, and becomes positive and large at higher x_F, similar to the trend in data at \sqrt{s}<=20 GeV. The analyzing power is in qualitative agreement with perturbative QCD model expectations. This is the first significant spin result seen for particles produced with p_T>1 GeV/c at a polarized proton collider.
Inclusive $\pi^{0}$ production cross section versus leading $\pi^{0}$ energy ($E_{\pi}$). The average transverse momentum ($\langle p_{T}\rangle$) is correlated with $E_{\pi}$, as the PFPD was at a fixed pseudorapidity ($\eta$). The inner error bars are statistical, and are smaller than the symbols for most points. The outer error bars combine these with the $E_{\pi}$-dependent systematic errors. The curves are NLO pQCD calculations evaluated at $\eta=3.8$ [29-31].
Analyzing powers versus Feynman $x$ ($x_{F}$). The average transverse momentum ($\langle p_{T}\rangle$) is correlated with $x_{F}$. The solid points are for identified $\pi^{0}$ mesons. The open points are for the total energy ($E_{\scriptsize{\mbox{tot}}}$), shifted by $x_{F}+0.01$. The inner error bars are statistical, and the outer combine these with the point-to-point systematic errors. The curves are from pQCD models evaluated at $p_{T}=1.5$ GeV/c [14-17]. The $A_{N}$ values are proportional to $A^{\scriptsize{\mbox{CNI}}}_{N}$, assumed to be 0.013 at 100 GeV.
Transverse mass and rapidity distributions for charged pions, charged kaons, protons and antiprotons are reported for sqrt{s_NN}=200 GeV pp and Au+Au collisions at RHIC. The transverse mass distributions are rapidity independent within |y|<0.5, consistent with a boost-invariant system in this rapidity interval. Spectral shapes and relative particle yields are similar in pp and peripheral Au+Au collisions and change smoothly to central Au+Au collisions. No centrality dependence was observed in the kaon and antiproton production rates relative to the pion production rate from medium-central to central collisions. Chemical and kinetic equilibrium model fits to our data reveal strong radial flow and relatively long duration from chemical to kinetic freeze-out in central Au+Au collisions. The chemical freeze-out temperature appears to be independent of initial conditions at RHIC energies.
invariant yield as function of transverse mass for $\pi^{\pm},K^{\pm}$ and inclusive $p$ and $\bar{p}$ at mid-rapidity ($|y|<0.1$) for pp (bottom) and Au+Au events from $70-80\%$ (second bottom) to the $0-5\%$ centrality bin (top). Statistical and point-to-point systematic errors have been added in quadrature. Additional correlated systematic error due to uncertainty in the normalization is estimated to be $5\%$. Open circles are for positive particles (all proton spectra are scaled by 0.8), and closed triangles are for negative particles. The curves shown (Bose-Einstein fits for $\pi^-$ and blast-wave model fits for $K^-$ and $\bar{p}$) are explained in the text.
invariant yield as function of transverse mass for $\pi^{\pm},K^{\pm}$ and inclusive $p$ and $\bar{p}$ at mid-rapidity ($|y|<0.1$) for pp (bottom) and Au+Au events from $70-80\%$ (second bottom) to the $0-5\%$ centrality bin (top). Statistical and point-to-point systematic errors have been added in quadrature. Additional correlated systematic error due to uncertainty in the normalization is estimated to be $5\%$. Open circles are for positive particles (all proton spectra are scaled by 0.8), and closed triangles are for negative particles. The curves shown (Bose-Einstein fits for $\pi^-$ and blast-wave model fits for $K^-$ and $\bar{p}$) are explained in the text.
invariant yield as function of transverse mass for $\pi^{\pm},K^{\pm}$ and inclusive $p$ and $\bar{p}$ at mid-rapidity ($|y|<0.1$) for pp (bottom) and Au+Au events from $70-80\%$ (second bottom) to the $0-5\%$ centrality bin (top). Statistical and point-to-point systematic errors have been added in quadrature. Additional correlated systematic error due to uncertainty in the normalization is estimated to be $5\%$. Open circles are for positive particles (all proton spectra are scaled by 0.8), and closed triangles are for negative particles. The curves shown (Bose-Einstein fits for $\pi^-$ and blast-wave model fits for $K^-$ and $\bar{p}$) are explained in the text.
We present the first large-acceptance measurement of event-wise mean transverse momentum mean p_t fluctuations for Au-Au collisions at nucleon-nucleon center-of-momentum collision energy sqrt{s_{NN}} = 130 GeV. The observed non-statistical mean p_t fluctuations substantially exceed in magnitude fluctuations expected from the finite number of particles produced in a typical collision. The r.m.s. fractional width excess of the event-wise mean p_t distribution is 13.7 +/- 0.1(stat) +/- 1.3(syst)% relative to a statistical reference, for the 15% most-central collisions and for charged hadrons within pseudorapidity range |eta|<1, 2pi azimuth and 0.15 < p_t < 2 GeV/c. The width excess varies smoothly but non-monotonically with collision centrality, and does not display rapid changes with centrality which might indicate the presence of critical fluctuations. The reported mean p_t fluctuation excess is qualitatively larger than those observed at lower energies and differs markedly from theoretical expectations. Contributions to mean p_t mean fluctuations from semi-hard parton scattering in the initial state and dissipation in the bulk colored medium are discussed.
Event frequency distribution on $\sqrt{n}(\langle p_t\rangle - \hat{p}_t)/\sigma\hat{p}_t$ for 80% of primary charged hadrons in $|\eta|$ < 1 for 183k central events
Difference in upper panel between data and gamma reference
Centrality dependences of the measured charge independent (CI) and charge dependent (CD) difference factors $\Delta\sigma_{p_t:n}$ plus the corresponding values extrapolated to 100% tracking efficiency. Statistical errors $\pm$ 0.5 MeV/c; systematic errors are $\pm$ 9%. Difference factors extrapolated to 100% tracking efficiency and no secondary particle contamination. Uncertainties are $\pm$ 12%.
We present the results of charged particle fluctuations measurements in Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=130$ GeV using the STAR detector. Dynamical fluctuations measurements are presented for inclusive charged particle multiplicities as well as for identified charged pions, kaons, and protons. The net charge dynamical fluctuations are found to be large and negative providing clear evidence that positive and negative charged particle production is correlated within the pseudorapidity range investigated. Correlations are smaller than expected based on model-dependent predictions for a resonance gas or a quark gluon gas which undergoes fast hadronization and freeze-out. Qualitative agreement is found with comparable scaled p+p measurements and a HIJING model calculation based on independent particle collisions, although a small deviation from the 1/N scaling dependence expected from this model is observed.
Dynamical fluctuations, $ν_{+−,dyn}$, measured in $|\eta| ≤ 0.5$ as a function of the collision centrality estimated with the total (uncorrected) multiplicity, M, in $|\eta| < 0.75$. Only statistical errors are listed. Systematic errors estimated at $5\%$.
$\langle N\rangle ν_{+−,dyn}$ measured in $|\eta| ≤ 0.5$ vs M (opened circles) compared to the charge conservation limit (dotted line), resonance gas expectation based on ref.[5](solid line); and HIJING calculation (solid squares). Only statistical errors are listed. Systematic errors estimated at $10\%$.
Fluctuations $ν_{+−,dyn}$ for the $6\%$ most central collisions as a function of the range of integrated pseudorapidities. The expected limit due to charge conservation is shown as a dotted line.
Pion-kaon correlation functions are constructed from central Au+Au data taken at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 130$ GeV. The results suggest that pions and kaons are not emitted at the same average space-time point. Space-momentum correlations, i.e. transverse flow, lead to a space-time emission asymmetry of pions and kaons that is consistent with the data. This result provides new independent evidence that the system created at RHIC undergoes a collective transverse expansion.
Pion-kaon correlation functions and ratios of correlation functions. Errors are statistical only.
Pion-kaon correlation functions and ratios of correlation functions. Errors are statistical only.
Pion-kaon correlation functions and ratios of correlation functions. Errors are statistical only.
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