We present direct photon-hadron correlations in 200 GeV/A Au+Au, d+Au, and p+p collisions, for direct photon pT from 5–12 GeV/c, collected by the PHENIX Collaboration in the years from 2006 to 2011. We observe no significant modification of jet fragmentation in d+Au collisions, indicating that cold nuclear matter effects are small or absent. Hadrons carrying a large fraction of the quark's momentum are suppressed in Au+Au compared to p+p and d+Au. As the momentum fraction decreases, the yield of hadrons in Au+Au increases to an excess over the yield in p+p collisions. The excess is at large angles and at low hadron pT and is most pronounced for hadrons associated with lower momentum direct photons. Comparison to theoretical calculations suggests that the hadron excess arises from medium response to energy deposited by jets.
Per-trigger yield of hadrons associated to direct photons in Au+Au collisions for direct photon $p_T$ 5-9 GeV/$c$, compared with p+p baseline, in various $\xi$ bins.
Per-trigger yield of hadrons associated to direct photons in d+Au collisions for direct photon $p_T$ 7-9 GeV/$c$, compared with p+p baseline, in various $\xi$ bins.
Integrated away-side $\gamma_{dir}$-h per-trigger yields of Au+Au, d+Au, and p+p, as a function of $\xi$.
The PHENIX collaboration presents first measurements of low-momentum ($0.4<p_T<3$ GeV/$c$) direct-photon yields from Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}$=39 and 62.4 GeV. For both beam energies the direct-photon yields are substantially enhanced with respect to expectations from prompt processes, similar to the yields observed in Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}$=200. Analyzing the photon yield as a function of the experimental observable $dN_{\rm ch}/d\eta$ reveals that the low-momentum ($>$1\,GeV/$c$) direct-photon yield $dN_{\gamma}^{\rm dir}/d\eta$ is a smooth function of $dN_{\rm ch}/d\eta$ and can be well described as proportional to $(dN_{\rm ch}/d\eta)^\alpha$ with $\alpha{\sim}$1.25. This new scaling behavior holds for a wide range of beam energies at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and Large Hadron Collider, for centrality selected samples, as well as for different, $A$$+$$A$ collision systems. At a given beam energy the scaling also holds for high $p_T$ ($>5$\,GeV/$c$) but when results from different collision energies are compared, an additional $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}$-dependent multiplicative factor is needed to describe the integrated-direct-photon yield.
Direct photon spectra(Physical Review C87, 054907 (2013)) normalized by $(dN_{ch}/d\eta)^{1.25}$ for in p+p at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$= 200 GeV.
Direct photon spectra(Physics Letters B94, 106 (1980)) normalized by $(dN_{ch}/d\eta)^{1.25}$ for in p+p at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$= 62.4 GeV.
Direct photon spectra(Nucl. Part. Phys. 23, A1 (1997) and Sov. J. Nucl. Phys. 51, 836 (1990)) normalized by $(dN_{ch}/d\eta)^{1.25}$ for in p+p at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$= 63 GeV.
We have measured direct photons for $p_T<5~$GeV/$c$ in minimum bias and 0\%--40\% most central events at midrapidity for Cu$+$Cu collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV. The $e^{+}e^{-}$ contribution from quasi-real direct virtual photons has been determined as an excess over the known hadronic contributions in the $e^{+}e^{-}$ mass distribution. A clear enhancement of photons over the binary scaled $p$$+$$p$ fit is observed for $p_T<4$ GeV/$c$ in Cu$+$Cu data. The $p_T$ spectra are consistent with the Au$+$Au data covering a similar number of participants. The inverse slopes of the exponential fits to the excess after subtraction of the $p$$+$$p$ baseline are 285$\pm$53(stat)$\pm$57(syst)~MeV/$c$ and 333$\pm$72(stat)$\pm$45(syst)~MeV/$c$ for minimum bias and 0\%--40\% most central events, respectively. The rapidity density, $dN/dy$, of photons demonstrates the same power law as a function of $dN_{\rm ch}/d\eta$ observed in Au$+$Au at the same collision energy.
Direct photon fraction measured with the virtual photon method for different systems in $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV Cu+Cu collisions.
The direct photon spectra for Minimum Bias and 0-40% centrality in $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV Cu+Cu collisions.
We present measurements of azimuthal correlations of charged hadron pairs in $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV Au$+$Au collisions after subtracting an underlying event using a model that includes higher-order azimuthal anisotropy $v_2$, $v_3$, and $v_4$. After subtraction, the away-side ($\Delta\phi\sim\pi)$ of the highest transverse-momentum trigger ($p_T>4$ GeV/$c$) correlations is suppressed compared to that of correlations measured in $p$$+$$p$ collisions. At the lowest associated particle $p_T$, the away-side shape and yield are modified. These observations are consistent with the scenario of radiative-jet energy loss. For the lowest-$p_T$ trigger correlations, an away-side yield exists and we explore the dependence of the shape of the away-side within the context of an underlying-event model. Correlations are also studied differentially versus event-plane angle $\Psi_n$. The angular correlations show an asymmetry when selecting the sign of the trigger-particle azimuthal angle with respect to the $\Psi_2$ event plane. This asymmetry and the measured suppression of the pair yield out of plane is consistent with a path-length-dependent energy loss. No $\Psi_3$ dependence can be resolved within experimental uncertainties.
Higher-order flow harmonics for charged hadrons at midrapidity in Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ and their systematics: $v_2$, $v_3$, $v_4$, and $v_4\{\Psi_2\}$. The source of systematic uncertainties are difference among RXN event-planes, matching cut width for CNT hadron tracks, and difference between $v_n$ measured with RXN and BBC event planes .
Per-trigger yields $Y(\Delta\phi)$ of dihadrons pairs measured in Au$+$Au collisions at$\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ after subtracting the underlying event model with several $p_T$ selections and centralities. Systematic uncertainties are due to track matching and the $v_n$ and due to ZYAM.
Per-trigger yields $Y(\Delta\phi)$ of dihadron pairs measured in Au$+$Au collisions after subtracting the underlying event-model with several $p_T$ selections of the trigger and associated particles ($p_T^{t,a}$ and several centralities. Systematic uncertainties are due to track matching and the $v_n$ and due to ZYAM.
We report the first measurement of the full angular distribution for inclusive $J/\psi\rightarrow\mu^{+}\mu^{-}$ decays in $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=510$ GeV. The measurements are made for $J/\psi$ transverse momentum $2<p_{T}<10$ GeV/$c$ and rapidity $1.2<y<2.2$ in the Helicity, Collins-Soper, and Gottfried-Jackson reference frames. In all frames the polar coefficient $\lambda_{\theta}$ is strongly negative at low $p_{T}$ and becomes close to zero at high $p_{T}$, while the azimuthal coefficient $\lambda_{\phi}$ is close to zero at low $p_{T}$, and becomes slightly negative at higher $p_{T}$. The frame-independent coefficient $\tilde{\lambda}$ is strongly negative at all $p_{T}$ in all frames. The data are compared to the theoretical predictions provided by nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics models.
Polar angular decay coefficient $\lambda_{\theta}$ as a function of transverse momentum for four reference frames and three $p_T$ bins. The numbers in the CS frame for the $p_T$ = 2-3 GeV/$c$ bin are 90% confidence level upper limits.
"Mixed" angular decay coefficient $\lambda_{\theta \phi}$ as a function of transverse momentum for four reference frames and three $p_T$ bins.
Azimuthal angular decay coefficient $\lambda_{\phi}$ as a function of transverse momentum for four reference frames and three $p_T$ bins.
The PHENIX Collaboration has measured the ratio of the yields of $\psi(2S)$ to $\psi(1S)$ mesons produced in $p$$+$$p$, $p$$+$Al, $p$$+$Au, and $^{3}$He$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV over the forward and backward rapidity intervals $1.2<|y|<2.2$. We find that the ratio in $p$$+$$p$ collisions is consistent with measurements at other collision energies. In collisions with nuclei, we find that in the forward ($p$-going or $^{3}$He-going) direction, the relative yield of $\psi(2S)$ mesons to $\psi(1S)$ mesons is consistent with the value measured in \pp collisions. However, in the backward (nucleus-going) direction, the $\psi(2S)$ is preferentially suppressed by a factor of $\sim$2. This suppression is attributed in some models to breakup of the weakly-bound $\psi(2S)$ through final state interactions with comoving particles, which have a higher density in the nucleus-going direction. These breakup effects may compete with color screening in a deconfined quark-gluon plasma to produce sequential suppression of excited quarkonia states.
Summary of the measured ratios of $\Psi$(2S)/$\Psi$(1S) mesons.
Summary of the measured ratios of $\Psi$(2S)/$\Psi$(1S) mesons.
Summary of the measured ratios of $\Psi$(2S)/$\Psi$(1S) mesons.
The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has measured 2nd and 3rd order Fourier coefficients of the azimuthal distributions of direct photons emitted at midrapidity in Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV for various collision centralities. Combining two different analysis techniques, results were obtained in the transverse momentum range of $0.4<p_{T}<4.0$ GeV/$c$. At low $p_T$ the second-order coefficients, $v_2$, are similar to the ones observed in hadrons. Third order coefficients, $v_3$, are nonzero and almost independent of centrality. These new results on $v_2$ and $v_3$, combined with previously published results on yields, are compared to model calculations that provide yields and asymmetries in the same framework. Those models are challenged to explain simultaneously the observed large yield and large azimuthal anisotropies.
Direct photon $v_2$ and $v_3$ at midrapidity ($|\eta|$ < 0.35), for different centralities, measured with the conversion method. The event plane was determined with the reaction plane detector (1 < $|\eta|$ < 2.8).
Direct photon $v_2$ and $v_3$ at midrapidity ($|\eta|$ < 0.35), for different centralities, measured with the calorimeter method. The event plane was determined with the reaction plane detector (1 < $|\eta|$ < 2.8).
Measurements of midrapidity charged particle multiplicity distributions, $dN_{\rm ch}/d\eta$, and midrapidity transverse-energy distributions, $dE_T/d\eta$, are presented for a variety of collision systems and energies. Included are distributions for Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$, 130, 62.4, 39, 27, 19.6, 14.5, and 7.7 GeV, Cu$+$Cu collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ and 62.4 GeV, Cu$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV, U$+$U collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=193$ GeV, $d$$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV, $^{3}$He$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV, and $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV. Centrality-dependent distributions at midrapidity are presented in terms of the number of nucleon participants, $N_{\rm part}$, and the number of constituent quark participants, $N_{q{\rm p}}$. For all $A$$+$$A$ collisions down to $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=7.7$ GeV, it is observed that the midrapidity data are better described by scaling with $N_{q{\rm p}}$ than scaling with $N_{\rm part}$. Also presented are estimates of the Bjorken energy density, $\varepsilon_{\rm BJ}$, and the ratio of $dE_T/d\eta$ to $dN_{\rm ch}/d\eta$, the latter of which is seen to be constant as a function of centrality for all systems.
Transverse energy in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV
Multiplicity in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV
Transverse energy in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 130 GeV
Measurements of the fractional momentum loss ($S_{\rm loss}\equiv{\delta}p_T/p_T$) of high-transverse-momentum-identified hadrons in heavy ion collisions are presented. Using $\pi^0$ in Au$+$Au and Cu$+$Cu collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=62.4$ and 200 GeV measured by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and and charged hadrons in Pb$+$Pb collisions measured by the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, we studied the scaling properties of $S_{\rm loss}$ as a function of a number of variables: the number of participants, $N_{\rm part}$, the number of quark participants, $N_{\rm qp}$, the charged-particle density, $dN_{\rm ch}/d\eta$, and the Bjorken energy density times the equilibration time, $\varepsilon_{\rm Bj}\tau_{0}$. We find that the $p_T$ where $S_{\rm loss}$ has its maximum, varies both with centrality and collision energy. Above the maximum, $S_{\rm loss}$ tends to follow a power-law function with all four scaling variables. The data at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}$=200 GeV and 2.76 TeV, for sufficiently high particle densities, have a common scaling of $S_{\rm loss}$ with $dN_{\rm ch}/d\eta$ and $\varepsilon_{\rm Bj}\tau_{0}$, lending insight on the physics of parton energy loss.
Global variables for Au+Au collisions at RHIC from PHENIX.
Global variables for Au+Au collisions at RHIC from PHENIX.
Global variables for Cu+Cu collisions at RHIC from PHENIX.
We report the measurement of cumulants ($C_n, n=1\ldots4$) of the net-charge distributions measured within pseudorapidity ($|\eta|<0.35$) in Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=7.7-200$ GeV with the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The ratios of cumulants (e.g. $C_1/C_2$, $C_3/C_1$) of the net-charge distributions, which can be related to volume independent susceptibility ratios, are studied as a function of centrality and energy. These quantities are important to understand the quantum-chromodynamics phase diagram and possible existence of a critical end point. The measured values are very well described by expectation from negative binomial distributions. We do not observe any nonmonotonic behavior in the ratios of the cumulants as a function of collision energy. The measured values of $C_1/C_2 = \mu/\sigma^2$ and $C_3/C_1 = S\sigma^3/\mu$ can be directly compared to lattice quantum-chromodynamics calculations and thus allow extraction of both the chemical freeze-out temperature and the baryon chemical potential at each center-of-mass energy.
Efficiency corrected cumulants of net-charge distributions as a function of $\langle N_{part} \rangle$ from Au+Au collisions at different collision energies.
Efficiency corrected cumulants of net-charge distributions as a function of $\langle N_{part} \rangle$ from Au+Au collisions at different collision energies.
Efficiency corrected cumulants of net-charge distributions as a function of $\langle N_{part} \rangle$ from Au+Au collisions at different collision energies.
We present a systematic study of charged pion and kaon interferometry in Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}$=200 GeV. The kaon mean source radii are found to be larger than pion radii in the outward and longitudinal directions for the same transverse mass; this difference increases for more central collisions. The azimuthal-angle dependence of the radii was measured with respect to the second-order event plane and similar oscillations of the source radii were found for pions and kaons. Hydrodynamic models qualitatively describe the similar oscillations of the mean source radii for pions and kaons, but they do not fully describe the transverse-mass dependence of the oscillations.
HBT parameters of positive pion pairs, shown as value $\pm$ statistical uncertainty [absolute value] $\pm$ systematic uncertainty [%] for the centrality bins shown in Fig. 3.
HBT parameters of negative pion pairs, shown as value $\pm$ statistical uncertainty [absolute value] $\pm$ systematic uncertainty [%] for the centrality bins shown in Fig. 3.
HBT parameters of charge-combined kaon pairs, shown as value $\pm$ statistical uncertainty [absolute value] $\pm$ systematic uncertainty [%] for the centrality bins shown in Fig. 3.
New PHENIX measurements of the anisotropic flow coefficients $v_2\{\Psi_2\}$, $v_3\{\Psi_3\}$, $v_4\{\Psi_4\}$ and $v_4\{\Psi_2\}$ for identified particles ($\pi^{\pm}$, $K^{\pm}$, and $p+\bar{p}$) obtained relative to the event planes $\Psi_n$ in Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}$ = 200 GeV are presented as functions of collision centrality and particle transverse momenta $p_T$. The $v_n$ coefficients show characteristic patterns consistent with hydrodynamical expansion of the matter produced in the collisions. For each harmonic $n$, a modified valence quark number $n_q$ scaling plotting $v_n/(n_q)^{n/2}$ versus ${\rm KE}_T/n_q$ is observed to yield a single curve for all the measured particle species for a broad range of transverse kinetic energies ${\rm KE}_T$. A simultaneous blast wave model fit to the observed particle spectra and $v_n(p_T)$ coefficients identifies spatial eccentricities $s_n$ at freeze-out, which are much smaller than the initial-state geometric values.
Azimuthal anisotropy $v_n$ via the event-plane method for charge-combined $\pi^{\pm}$ in 0%–50% central Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} =$ 200 GeV.
Azimuthal anisotropy $v_2$ and $v_3$ via the two-particle correlation method for charge-combined $\pi^{\pm}$ in 0%–50% central Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} =$ 200 GeV.
Azimuthal anisotropy $v_4$ via the two-particle correlation method for charge-combined $\pi^{\pm}$ in 0%–50% central Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} =$ 200 GeV.
We have studied the dependence of azimuthal anisotropy $v_2$ for inclusive and identified charged hadrons in Au$+$Au and Cu$+$Cu collisions on collision energy, species, and centrality. The values of $v_2$ as a function of transverse momentum $p_T$ and centrality in Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}$=200 GeV and 62.4 GeV are the same within uncertainties. However, in Cu$+$Cu collisions we observe a decrease in $v_2$ values as the collision energy is reduced from 200 to 62.4 GeV. The decrease is larger in the more peripheral collisions. By examining both Au$+$Au and Cu$+$Cu collisions we find that $v_2$ depends both on eccentricity and the number of participants, $N_{\rm part}$. We observe that $v_2$ divided by eccentricity ($\varepsilon$) monotonically increases with $N_{\rm part}$ and scales as ${N_{\rm part}^{1/3}}$. The Cu$+$Cu data at 62.4 GeV falls below the other scaled $v_{2}$ data. For identified hadrons, $v_2$ divided by the number of constituent quarks $n_q$ is independent of hadron species as a function of transverse kinetic energy $KE_T=m_T-m$ between $0.1<KE_T/n_q<1$ GeV. Combining all of the above scaling and normalizations, we observe a near-universal scaling, with the exception of the Cu$+$Cu data at 62.4 GeV, of $v_2/(n_q\cdot\varepsilon\cdot N^{1/3}_{\rm part})$ vs $KE_T/n_q$ for all measured particles.
$v_2$ for inclusive charged hadrons in Au+Au at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV.
$v_2$ for inclusive charged hadrons in Au+Au at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV.
$v_2$ for inclusive charged hadrons in Au+Au at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV.
The PHENIX experiment at RHIC has measured the centrality dependence of the direct photon yield from Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV down to $p_T=0.4$ GeV/$c$. Photons are detected via photon conversions to $e^+e^-$ pairs and an improved technique is applied that minimizes the systematic uncertainties that usually limit direct photon measurements, in particular at low $p_T$. We find an excess of direct photons above the $N_{\rm coll}$-scaled yield measured in $p$$+$$p$ collisions. This excess yield is well described by an exponential distribution with an inverse slope of about 240 MeV/$c$ in the $p_T$ range from 0.6--2.0 GeV/$c$. While the shape of the $p_T$ distribution is independent of centrality within the experimental uncertainties, the yield increases rapidly with increasing centrality, scaling approximately with $N_{\rm part}^\alpha$, where $\alpha=1.48{\pm}0.08({\rm stat}){\pm}0.04({\rm syst})$.
Ratio $R_{\gamma}$ as function of photon $p_T$ from the 2007 and 2010 data sets in minimum-bias Au+Au collisions, and the $R_{\gamma}$ in the combined 2007+2010 measurement.
Ratio $R_{\gamma}$ as function of photon $p_T$ for the combined 2007 and 2010 data sets in different centrality bins.
Direct photon $p_T$ spectra in different centrality bins.
Measurements of bottomonium production in heavy ion and $p$$+$$p$ collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) are presented. The inclusive yield of the three $\Upsilon$ states, $\Upsilon(1S+2S+3S)$, was measured in the PHENIX experiment via electron-positron decay pairs at midrapidity for Au$+$Au and $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV. The $\Upsilon(1S+2S+3S)\rightarrow e^+e^-$ differential cross section at midrapidity was found to be $B_{\rm ee} d\sigma/dy =$ 108 $\pm$ 38 (stat) $\pm$ 15(syst) $\pm$ 11 (luminosity) pb in $p$$+$$p$ collisions. The nuclear modification factor in the 30\% most central Au$+$Au collisions indicates a suppression of the total $\Upsilon$ state yield relative to the extrapolation from $p$$+$$p$ collision data. The suppression is consistent with measurements made by STAR at RHIC and at higher energies by the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider.
Summary of the measured $\Upsilon$ invariant multiplicities, $BdN/dy$, for one $p + p$ three Au + Au data sets.
Summary of the measured $\Upsilon$ nuclear modification factors, $R_{AA}$, for Au + Au data sets.
Summary of the measured $\Upsilon$ nuclear modification factors, $R_{AA}$, for Au + Au data sets.
Charged-pion-interferometry measurements were made with respect to the 2$^{\rm nd}$- and 3$^{\rm rd}$-order event plane for Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV. A strong azimuthal-angle dependence of the extracted Gaussian-source radii was observed with respect to both the 2$^{\rm nd}$- and 3$^{\rm rd}$-order event planes. The results for the 2$^{\rm nd}$-order dependence indicate that the initial eccentricity is reduced during the medium evolution, but not reversed in the final state, which is consistent with previous results. In contrast, the results for the 3$^{\rm rd}$-order dependence indicate that the initial triangular shape is significantly reduced and potentially reversed by the end of the medium evolution, and that the 3$^{\rm rd}$-order oscillations are largely dominated by the dynamical effects from triangular flow.
The azimuthal dependence of $R^2_s$, $R^2_o$, $R^2_l$, and $R^2_{os}$ for charged pions in 0.2 < $k_T$ < 2.0 GeV/$c$ with respect to second-(a)-(d) and third-order (e)-(h) event plane in Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{S_{NN}}$ 200 GeV.
The azimuthal dependence of $R^2_s$, $R^2_o$, $R^2_l$, and $R^2_{os}$ for charged pions in 0.2 < $k_T$ < 2.0 GeV/$c$ with respect to second-(a)-(d) and third-order (e)-(h) event plane in Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{S_{NN}}$ 200 GeV.
The solid points are the oscillation amplitudes relative to the average of HBT radii for four different combinations (a) $2R^{2}_{s,n}/R^{2}_{s,0}$, (b) $2R^{2}_{os,n}/R^{2}_{s,0}$, (c) $2R^{2}_{o,n}/R^{2}_{o,0}$, and (d) $2R^{2}_{o,n}/R^{2}_{s,0}$ as a function of initial spatial anisotropy ($\varepsilon_{n}$), which are calculated using the Glauber model.
Measurements of the midrapidity transverse energy distribution, $d\Et/d\eta$, are presented for $p$$+$$p$, $d$$+$Au, and Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV and additionally for Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=62.4$ and 130 GeV. The $d\Et/d\eta$ distributions are first compared with the number of nucleon participants $N_{\rm part}$, number of binary collisions $N_{\rm coll}$, and number of constituent-quark participants $N_{qp}$ calculated from a Glauber model based on the nuclear geometry. For Au$+$Au, $\mean{d\Et/d\eta}/N_{\rm part}$ increases with $N_{\rm part}$, while $\mean{d\Et/d\eta}/N_{qp}$ is approximately constant for all three energies. This indicates that the two component ansatz, $dE_{T}/d\eta \propto (1-x) N_{\rm part}/2 + x N_{\rm coll}$, which has been used to represent $E_T$ distributions, is simply a proxy for $N_{qp}$, and that the $N_{\rm coll}$ term does not represent a hard-scattering component in $E_T$ distributions. The $dE_{T}/d\eta$ distributions of Au$+$Au and $d$$+$Au are then calculated from the measured $p$$+$$p$ $E_T$ distribution using two models that both reproduce the Au$+$Au data. However, while the number-of-constituent-quark-participant model agrees well with the $d$$+$Au data, the additive-quark model does not.
Et EMC distributions for sqrt(sNN) = 62.4 GeV Au+Au collisions shown in 5% wide centrality bins.
Et EMC distributions for sqrt(sNN) = 62.4 GeV Au+Au collisions shown in 5% wide centrality bins.
Et EMC distributions for sqrt(sNN) = 62.4 GeV Au+Au collisions shown in 5% wide centrality bins.
The azimuthal anisotropy coefficients v_2 and v_4 of pi^0 and eta mesons are measured in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV, as a function of transverse momentum p_T (1-14 GeV/c) and centrality. The extracted v_2 coefficients are found to be consistent between the two meson species over the measured p_T range. The ratio of v_4/v_2^2 for pi^0 mesons is found to be independent of p_T for 1-9 GeV/c, implying a lack of sensitivity of the ratio to the change of underlying physics with p_T. Furthermore, the ratio of v_4/v_2^2 is systematically larger in central collisions, which may reflect the combined effects of fluctuations in the initial collision geometry and finite viscosity in the evolving medium.
$\eta$ meson $v_2, 0-20\%$ centrality
$\eta$ meson $v_2, 20-60\%$ centrality
$\pi^0$ meson $v_4, 0-20\%$ centrality
The transverse momentum (p_T) spectra and ratios of identified charged hadrons (\pi^+/-, K^+/-, p, p^bar) produced in sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV Au+Au and d+Au collisions are reported in five different centrality classes for each collision species. The measurements of pions and protons are reported up to p_T=6 GeV/c (5 GeV/c), and the measurements of kaons are reported up to p_T=4 GeV/c (3.5 GeV/c) in Au+Au (d+Au) collisions. In the intermediate p_T region, between 2--5 GeV/c, a significant enhancement of baryon to meson ratios compared to those measured in p+p collisions is observed. This enhancement is present in both Au+Au and d+Au collisions, and increases as the collisions become more central. We compare a class of peripheral Au+Au collisions with a class of central d+Au collisions which have a comparable number of participating nucleons and binary nucleon-nucleon collisions. The p_T dependent particle ratios for these classes display a remarkable similarity, which is then discussed.
kaon AuAu Invariant yields versus $p_T$
kaon dAu Invariant yields versus $p_T$
pion AuAu Invariant yields versus $p_T$
The jet fragmentation function is measured with direct photon-hadron correlations in p+p and Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV. The p_T of the photon is an excellent approximation to the initial p_T of the jet and the ratio z_T=p_T^h/p_T^\gamma is used as a proxy for the jet fragmentation function. A statistical subtraction is used to extract the direct photon-hadron yields in Au+Au collisions while a photon isolation cut is applied in p+p. I_ AA, the ratio of jet fragment yield in Au+Au to that in p+p, indicates modification of the jet fragmentation function. Suppression, most likely due to energy loss in the medium, is seen at high z_T. The fragment yield at low z_T is enhanced at large angles. Such a trend is expected from redistribution of the lost energy into increased production of low-momentum particles.
Direct photon-hadron pair per-trigger yields vs Delta-phi (Au+Au and p+p)
Integrated per-trigger yields and I_AA vs xi
Integrated per-trigger yields and I_AA vs xi
The PHENIX experiment has measured the production of neutral pions in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV. The new data offer a fourfold increase in recorded luminosity, providing higher precision and a larger reach in transverse momentum, p_T, to 20 GeV/c. The production ratio of eta/pi^0 is 0.46+/-0.01(stat)+/-0.05(syst), constant with p_T and collision centrality. The observed ratio is consistent with earlier measurements, as well as with the p+p and d+Au values. The production of pi^0 is suppressed by a factor of 5, as in earlier findings. However, with the improved statistical precision a small but significant rise of the nuclear modification factor, R_AA, vs p_T, with a slope of 0.0106+/-^(0.0034)_(0.0029)[GeV/c]^-1, is discernible in central collisions. A phenomenological extraction of the average fractional parton energy loss shows a decrease with increasing p_T. To study the path length dependence of suppression, the pi^0 yield was measured at different angles with respect to the event plane; a strong azimuthal dependence of the pi^0 R_AA is observed. The data are compared to theoretical models of parton energy loss as a function of the path length, L, in the medium. Models based on pQCD are insufficient to describe the data, while a hybrid model utilizing pQCD for the hard interactions and AdS/CFT for the soft interactions is consistent with the data.
Invariant yields of neutral pions, all centralities
Invariant yields of neutral pions, all centralities
$\Eta/ \pi^0 ratios
Direct photons have been measured in sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV d+Au collisions at midrapidity. A wide p_T range is covered by measurements of nearly-real virtual photons (1<p_T<6 GeV/c) and real photons (5<p_T<16 GeV/c). The invariant yield of the direct photons in d+Au collisions over the scaled p+p cross section is consistent with unity. Theoretical calculations assuming standard cold nuclear matter effects describe the data well for the entire p_T range. This indicates that the large enhancement of direct photons observed in Au+Au collisions for 1.0<p_T<2.5 GeV/c is due to a source other than the initial-state nuclear effects.
Direct photon fraction. The direct-photon fractions from the virtual-photon analysis as a function of $p_{T}$ in $p+p$ (MB) [1] collisions. The values in the table are equal to this mean value. The statistical and systematic uncertainties are shown by the bars and bands, respectively. The curves show expectations from a NLO pQCD calculation [17, 18] with different cutoff mass scales: (solid) $\mu$ = 0.5 $p_{T}$ , (dash) $\mu$ = 1.0 $p_{T}$ , and (dash-dot) $\mu$ = 2.0 $p_{T}$.
Direct photon fraction. The direct-photon fractions from the virtual-photon analysis as a function of $p_{T}$ in $d$+Au (MB) [1] collisions. The values in the table are equal to this mean value. The statistical and systematic uncertainties are shown by the bars and bands, respectively. The curves show expectations from a NLO pQCD calculation [17, 18] with different cutoff mass scales: (solid) $\mu$ = 0.5 $p_{T}$ , (dash) $\mu$ = 1.0 $p_{T}$ , and (dash-dot) $\mu$ = 2.0 $p_{T}$.
Direct photon cross section. (a) The invariant cross sections of the direct photon in $p+p$ [3, 4] and $d$+Au collisions. The $p+p$ fit result with the empirical parameterization described in the text is shown as well as NLO pQCD calculations, and the scaled $p+p$ fit is compared with the $d$+Au data. The closed and open symbols show the results from the virtual photon and $\pi_{0}$-tagging methods, respectively. The asterisk symbols show the result from the statistical subtraction method for $d$+Au data, overlapping with the virtual photon result in 3 < $p_{T}$ < 5 GeV/c. The values in the table are equal to this mean value. The bars and bands represent the point-to-point (ptp.) and $p_{T}$-correlated (cor.) uncertainties, respectively. (b) The $p+p$ data over the fit. The uncertainties of the fit due to both point-to-point (ptp.) and pT -correlated uncertainties of the data are summed quadratically, and the sum is shown as dotted lines. The NLO pQCD calculations divided by the fit are also shown.
We report the measurement of direct photons at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt{s_NN} = 200 GeV. The direct photon signal was extracted for the transverse-momentum range of 4 GeV/c < p_T < 22 GeV/c, using a statistical method to subtract decay photons from the inclusive-photon sample. The direct-photon nuclear-modification factor R_AA was calculated as a function of p_T for different Au+Au collision centralities using the measured p+p direct-photon spectrum and compared to theoretical predictions. R_AA was found to be consistent with unity for all centralities over the entire measured p_T range. Theoretical models that account for modifications of initial-direct-photon production due to modified-parton-distribution functions in Au and the different isospin composition of the nuclei, predict a modest change of R_AA from unity and are consistent with the data. Models with compensating effects of the quark-gluon plasma on high-energy photons, such as suppression of jet-fragmentation photons and induced-photon bremsstrahlung from partons traversing the medium, are also consistent with this measurement.
Direct photon spectra for all centrality selections in Au+Au.
Direct photon nuclear modification factor ($R_{AA}$)
Measurements of the anisotropy parameter v_2 of identified hadrons (pions, kaons, and protons) as a function of centrality, transverse momentum p_T, and transverse kinetic energy KE_T at midrapidity (|\eta|<0.35) in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV are presented. Pions and protons are identified up to p_T = 6 GeV/c, and kaons up to p_T = 4 GeV/c, by combining information from time-of-flight and aerogel Cherenkov detectors in the PHENIX Experiment. The scaling of v_2 with the number of valence quarks (n_q) has been studied in different centrality bins as a function of transverse momentum and transverse kinetic energy. A deviation from previously observed quark-number scaling is observed at large values of KE_T/n_q in noncentral Au+Au collisions (20--60%), but this scaling remains valid in central collisions (0--10%).
Identified hadron $v_2$ in central (0–20% centrality, left panels) Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV. Panels (a) and (b) show $v_2$ as a function of transverse momentum $p_T$. The $v_2$ of all species for centrality 0–20% has been scaled up by a factor of 1.6 for better comparison with results of 20–60% centrality. The error bars (shaded boxes) represent the statistical (systematic) uncertainties. The systematic uncertainties shown are type A and B only.
Identified hadron $v_2$ in central (0–20% centrality, left panels) Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV. Panels (a) and (b) show $v_2$ as a function of transverse momentum $p_T$. The $v_2$ of all species for centrality 0–20% has been scaled up by a factor of 1.6 for better comparison with results of 20–60% centrality. The error bars (shaded boxes) represent the statistical (systematic) uncertainties. The systematic uncertainties shown are type A and B only.
Identified hadron $v_2$ in central (0–20% centrality, left panels) Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV. Panels (a) and (b) show $v_2$ as a function of transverse momentum $p_T$. The $v_2$ of all species for centrality 0–20% has been scaled up by a factor of 1.6 for better comparison with results of 20–60% centrality. The error bars (shaded boxes) represent the statistical (systematic) uncertainties. The systematic uncertainties shown are type A and B only.
Flow coefficients v_n for n = 2, 3, 4, characterizing the anisotropic collective flow in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV, are measured relative to event planes Ψ_n determined at large rapidity. We report v_n as a function of transverse momentum and collision centrality, and study the correlations among the event planes of different order n. The v_n are well described by hydrodynamic models which employ a Glauber Monte Carlo initial state geometry with fluctuations, providing additional constraining power on the interplay between initial conditions and the effects of viscosity as the system evolves. This new constraint improves precision of the extracted viscosity to entropy density ratio eta/s.
Charged hadron azimuthal anisotropy $v_2$, $v_3$, and $v_4$ vs $p_T$ in 0-10% central Au+Au collisions at 200 GeV. The mean $<p_T>$ in each $p_T$ bins used for the $v_n$ measurement is shown in Fig.2.6.
Charged hadron azimuthal anisotropy $v_2$, $v_3$, and $v_4$ vs $p_T$ in 10-20% central Au+Au collisions at 200 GeV. The mean $<p_T>$ in each $p_T$ bins used for the $v_n$ measurement is shown in Fig.2.6.
Charged hadron azimuthal anisotropy $v_2$, $v_3$, and $v_4$ vs $p_T$ in 20-30% central Au+Au collisions at 200 GeV. The mean $<p_T>$ in each $p_T$ bins used for the $v_n$ measurement is shown in Fig.2.6.
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