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
The correlations between event-by-event fluctuations of symmetry planes are measured in Pb$-$Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV recorded by the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider. This analysis is conducted using the Gaussian Estimator technique, which is insensitive to biases from correlations between different flow amplitudes. The study presents, for the first time, the centrality dependence of correlations involving up to five different symmetry planes. The correlation strength varies depending on the harmonic order of the symmetry plane and the collision centrality. Comparisons with measurements from lower energies indicate no significant differences within uncertainties. Additionally, the results are compared with hydrodynamic model calculations. Although the model predictions provide a qualitative explanation of the experimental results, they overestimate the data for some observables. This is particularly true for correlators that are sensitive to the non-linear response of the medium to initial-state anisotropies in the collision system. As these new correlators provide unique information - independent of flow amplitudes - their usage in future model developments can further constrain the properties of the strongly-interacting matter created in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions.
Centrality dependence of $\langle\cos[6(\Psi_3-\Psi_2)]\rangle$ in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV.
Centrality dependence of $\langle\cos[4(\Psi_4-\Psi_2)]\rangle$ in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV.
Centrality dependence of $\langle\cos[8(\Psi_4-\Psi_2)]\rangle$ in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV.
This Letter presents the first measurement of event-by-event fluctuations of the net number (difference between the particle and antiparticle multiplicities) of multistrange hadrons $\Xi^-$ and $\overline{\Xi}^+$ and its correlation with the net-kaon number using the data collected by the ALICE Collaboration in pp, p$-$Pb, and Pb$-$Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02\ \mathrm{TeV}$. The statistical hadronization model with a correlation over three units of rapidity between hadrons having the same and opposite strangeness content successfully describes the results. On the other hand, string-fragmentation models that mainly correlate strange hadrons with opposite strange quark content over a small rapidity range fail to describe the data.
Pearson correlation coefficient between the net-$\Xi$ number and net-K number, $\rho_{\Delta\Xi\Delta\mathrm{K}}$, in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 5.02$ TeV
Pearson correlation coefficient between the net-$\Xi$ number and net-K number, $\rho_{\Delta\Xi\Delta\mathrm{K}}$, in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV
Pearson correlation coefficient between the net-$\Xi$ number and net-K number, $\rho_{\Delta\Xi\Delta\mathrm{K}}$, in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV
This Letter presents the most precise measurement to date of the matter-antimatter imbalance at midrapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV. Using the Statistical Hadronization framework, it is possible to obtain the value of the electric charge and baryon chemical potentials, $\mu_Q=-0.18\pm0.90$ MeV and $\mu_B=0.71\pm0.45$ MeV, with unprecedented precision. A centrality-differential study of the antiparticle-to-particle yield ratios of charged pions, protons, $\Omega$-baryons, and light (hyper)nuclei is performed. These results indicate that the system created in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC is on average baryon-free and electrically neutral at midrapidity.
Antiparticle-to-particle yield ratio, 0-5% centrality
Antiparticle-to-particle yield ratio, 5-10% centrality
Antiparticle-to-particle yield ratio, 10-30% centrality
The correlations between different moments of two flow amplitudes, extracted with the recently developed asymmetric cumulants, are measured in Pb$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV recorded by the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The magnitudes of the measured observables show a dependence on the different moments as well as on the collision centrality, indicating the presence of non-linear response in all even moments up to the eighth. Furthermore, the higher-order asymmetric cumulants show different signatures than the symmetric and lower-order asymmetric cumulants. Comparisons with state-of-the-art event generators using two different parametrizations obtained from Bayesian optimization show differences between data and simulations in many of the studied observables, indicating a need for further tuning of the models behind those event generators. These results provide new and independent constraints on the initial conditions and transport properties of the system created in heavy-ion collisions.
Centrality dependence of ${\rm SC}(2,3)$ in Pb$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV.
Centrality dependence of ${\rm AC}_{2,1}(2,3)$ in Pb$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV.
Centrality dependence of ${\rm AC}_{1,2}(2,3)$ in Pb$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV.
A newly developed observable for correlations between symmetry planes, which characterize the direction of the anisotropic emission of produced particles, is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV with ALICE. This so-called Gaussian Estimator allows for the first time the study of these quantities without the influence of correlations between different flow amplitudes. The centrality dependence of various correlations between two, three and four symmetry planes is presented. The ordering of magnitude between these symmetry plane correlations is discussed and the results of the Gaussian Estimator are compared with measurements of previously used estimators. The results utilizing the new estimator lead to significantly smaller correlations than reported by studies using the Scalar Product method. Furthermore, the obtained symmetry plane correlations are compared to state-of-the-art hydrodynamic model calculations for the evolution of heavy-ion collisions. While the model predictions provide a qualitative description of the data, quantitative agreement is not always observed, particularly for correlators with significant non-linear response of the medium to initial state anisotropies of the collision system. As these results provide unique and independent information, their usage in future Bayesian analysis can further constrain our knowledge on the properties of the QCD matter produced in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions.
Centrality dependence of $\langle \cos[4(\Psi_{4}-\Psi_{2})]\rangle_{\mathrm{GE}}$ in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV.
Centrality dependence of $\langle \cos[6(\Psi_{6}-\Psi_{3})]\rangle_{\mathrm{GE}}$ in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV.
Centrality dependence of $\langle \cos[6(\Psi_{2}-\Psi_{3})]\rangle_{\mathrm{GE}}$ in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV.
The azimuthal anisotropy of particles associated with jets (jet particles) at midrapidity is measured for the first time in p-Pb and Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV down to transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) of 0.5 GeV/$c$ and 2 GeV/$c$, respectively, with ALICE. The results obtained in p-Pb collisions are based on a novel three-particle correlation technique. The azimuthal anisotropy coefficient $v_2$ in high-multiplicity p-Pb collisions is positive, with a significance reaching 6.8$\sigma$ at low $p_{\rm T}$, and its magnitude is smaller than in semicentral Pb-Pb collisions. In contrast to the measurements in Pb-Pb collisions, the $v_2$ coefficient is also found independent of $p_{\rm T}$ within uncertainties. Comparisons with the inclusive charged-particle $v_2$ and with AMPT calculations are discussed. The predictions suggest that parton interactions play an important role in generating a non-zero jet-particle $v_2$ in p-Pb collisions, even though they overestimate the reported measurement. These observations shed new insights on the understanding of the origin of the collective behaviour of jet particles in small systems such as p-Pb collisions, and provide significant stringent new constraints to models.
Inclusive charged-particle $v_{2}$ as a function of $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ in high-multiplicity (0$-$10%) p$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV
Jet-particle $v_{2}$ as a function of $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ in high-multiplicity (0$-$10%) p$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV, the $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ of associated particles is larger than 0.5 GeV/$\it{c}$
Jet-particle $v_{2}$ as a function of $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ in high-multiplicity (0$-$10%) p$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV, the $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ of associated particles is larger than 1 GeV/$\it{c}$
Measurements of the elliptic flow coefficient relative to the collision plane defined by the spectator neutrons $v_2${$\Psi_{\rm SP}$} in collisions of Pb ions at center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$=2.76 TeV and Xe ions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$=5.44 TeV are reported. The results are presented for charged particles produced at midrapidity as a function of centrality and transverse momentum. The ratio between $v_2${$\Psi_{\rm SP}$} and the elliptic flow coefficient relative to the participant plane $v_2$4, estimated using four-particle correlations, deviates by up to 20% from unity depending on centrality. This observation differs strongly from the magnitude of the corresponding eccentricity ratios predicted by the TRENTo and the elliptic power models of initial state fluctuations that are tuned to describe the participant plane anisotropies. The differences can be interpreted as a decorrelation of the neutron spectator plane and the reaction plane because of fragmentation of the remnants from the colliding nuclei, which points to an incompleteness of current models of initial state fluctuations. A significant transverse momentum dependence of the ratio $v_2${$\Psi_{\rm SP}$}/$v_2${4} is observed in all but the most central collisions, which may help to understand whether momentum anisotropies at low and intermediate transverse momentum have a common origin in initial state fluctuations. The ratios of $v_2${$\Psi_{\rm SP}$} and $v_2${4} to the corresponding initial state eccentricities for Xe-Xe and Pb-Pb collisions at similar initial entropy density show a difference of $(7.0 \pm 0.9)$% with an additional variation of +1.8% when including RHIC data in the TRENTo parameter extraction. These observations provide new experimental constraints for viscous effects in the hydrodynamic modeling of the expanding quark-gluon plasma.
Centrality dependence of $v_2\{\Psi_{\mathrm{SP}}\}$, $v_2\{2,|\Delta\eta|>1\}$, and $v_2\{4\}$ in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=2.76~\mathrm{TeV}$.
Centrality dependence of $v_2\{\Psi_{\mathrm{SP}}\}$, $v_2\{2,|\Delta\eta|>1\}$, and $v_2\{4\}$ in Xe-Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.44~\mathrm{TeV}$.
Centrality dependence of $v_2\{\Psi_{\mathrm{SP}}\}/v_2\{4\}$ and $v_2\{2,|\Delta\eta|>1\}/v_2\{4\}$ in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=2.76~\mathrm{TeV}$.
The event-by-event correlations between three flow amplitudes are measured for the first time in Pb--Pb collisions, using higher-order Symmetric Cumulants. We find that different three-harmonic correlations develop during the collective evolution of the medium, when compared with correlations that exist in the initial state. These new results cannot be interpreted in terms of previous lower-order flow measurements, since contributions from two-harmonic correlations are explicitly removed in the new observables. Comparison with Monte Carlo simulations provides new and independent constraints for the initial conditions and system properties of nuclear matter created in heavy-ion collisions.
Centrality dependence of ${\rm SC}(2,3,4)$ in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$~TeV.
Centrality dependence of ${\rm SC}(2,3,5)$ in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$~TeV.
Centrality dependence of ${\rm SC}(2,4,6)$ in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$~TeV.
Anisotropic flow coefficients, $v_n$, non-linear flow mode coefficients, $\chi_{n,mk}$, and correlations among different symmetry planes, $\rho_{n,mk}$ are measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\rm{NN}}=5.02$ TeV. Results obtained with multi-particle correlations are reported for the transverse momentum interval $0.2<p_\rm{T}<5.0$ GeV/$c$ within the pseudorapidity interval $0.4<|\eta|<0.8$ as a function of collision centrality. The $v_n$ coefficients and $\chi_{n,mk}$ and $\rho_{n,mk}$ are presented up to the ninth and seventh harmonic order, respectively. Calculations suggest that the correlations measured in different symmetry planes and the non-linear flow mode coefficients are dependent on the shear and bulk viscosity to entropy ratios of the medium created in heavy-ion collisions. The comparison between these measurements and those at lower energies and calculations from hydrodynamic models places strong constraints on the initial conditions and transport properties of the system.
Centrality dependence of flow harmonics from $v_2$ to $v_9$.
Centrality dependence of flow harmonics from $v_2$ to $v_9$.
Centrality dependence of flow harmonics from $v_2$ to $v_9$.