Neutral pion and $\eta$ meson production in the transverse momentum range 1 < $p_{T}$ < 20 GeV/$c$ have been measured at mid-rapidity by the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in central and semi-central Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV. These results were obtained using the photon conversion method as well as the PHOS and EMCal detectors. The results extend the upper $p_{T}$ reach of the previous ALICE $\pi^{0}$ measurements from 12 GeV/$c$ to 20 GeV/$c$ and present the first measurement of $\eta$ meson production in heavy-ion collisions at the LHC. The $\eta/\pi^{0}$ ratio is similar for the two centralities and reaches at high $p_{T}$ a plateau value of 0.457 $\pm$ 0.013$^{stat}$ $\pm$ 0.018$^{syst}$. A suppression of similar magnitude for $\pi^{0}$ and $\eta$ meson production is observed in Pb-Pb collisions with respect to their production in pp collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions. We discuss the results in terms of NLO pQCD predictions and hydrodynamic models. The measurements show a stronger suppression with respect to what was observed at lower center-of-mass energies in the $p_{T}$ range 6 < $p_{T}$ < 10 GeV/$c$. At $p_{T}$ < 3 GeV/$c$, hadronization models describe the $\pi^{0}$ results while for the $\eta$ some tension is observed.
Invariant yields of the $\pi^{0}$ meson in the centrality class 0-10% in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt{s_NN} = 2.76 TeV at mid-rapidity.
Invariant yields of the $\pi^{0}$ meson in the centrality class 20-50% in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt{s_NN} = 2.76 TeV at mid-rapidity.
Invariant yields of the $\eta$ meson in the centrality class 0-10% in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt{s_NN} = 2.76 TeV at mid-rapidity.
We report the measured transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) spectra of primary charged particles from pp, p-Pb and Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV in the kinematic range of $0.15<p_{\rm T}<50$ GeV/$c$ and $|\eta|< 0.8$. A significant improvement of systematic uncertainties motivated the reanalysis of data in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV, as well as in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV, which is also presented. Spectra from Pb-Pb collisions are presented in nine centrality intervals and are compared to a reference spectrum from pp collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions. For central collisions, the $p_{\rm T}$ spectra are suppressed by more than a factor of 7 around 6-7 GeV/$c$ with a significant reduction in suppression towards higher momenta up to 30 GeV/$c$. The nuclear modification factor $R_{\rm pPb}$, constructed from the pp and p-Pb spectra measured at the same collision energy, is consistent with unity above 8 GeV/$c$. While the spectra in both pp and Pb-Pb collisions are substantially harder at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV compared to 2.76 TeV, the nuclear modification factors show no significant collision energy dependence. The obtained results should provide further constraints on the parton energy loss calculations to determine the transport properties of the hot and dense QCD matter.
Transverse momentum spectra of charged particles in PbPb collisions in nine centrality classes.
Transverse momentum spectra of charged particles in PbPb collisions in nine centrality classes.
Transverse momentum spectra of charged particles in pPb collisions.
Invariant differential yields of deuterons and anti-deuterons in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 0.9, 2.76 and 7 TeV and the yields of tritons, $^{3}$He nuclei and their anti-nuclei at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV have been measured with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The measurements cover a wide transverse momentum ($p_{\text{T}}$) range in the rapidity interval $|y|<0.5$, extending both the energy and the $p_{\text{T}}$ reach of previous measurements up to 3 GeV/$c$ for $A=2$ and 6 GeV/$c$ for $A=3$. The coalescence parameters of (anti-)deuterons and $^{3}\overline{\text{He}}$ nuclei exhibit an increasing trend with $p_{\text{T}}$ and are found to be compatible with measurements in pA collisions at low $p_{\text{T}}$ and lower energies. The integrated yields decrease by a factor of about 1000 for each increase of the mass number with one (anti-)nucleon. Furthermore, the deuteron-to-proton ratio is reported as a function of the average charged particle multiplicity at different center-of-mass energies.
Invariant differential yield of deuterons and antideuterons in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 0.9 TeV. The uncertainties of $_{-0.8}^{+2.2}$% due to the extrapolation to inelastic pp collisions are not included in the systematic uncertainties.
Invariant differential yield of deuterons and antideuterons in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 2.76 TeV. The uncertainties of $_{-2.8}^{+5.2}$% due to the extrapolation to inelastic pp collisions are not included in the systematic uncertainties.
Invariant differential yield of deuterons and antideuterons in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV. The uncertainties of $_{-2.0}^{+5.0}$% due to the extrapolation to inelastic pp collisions are not included in the systematic uncertainties.
In ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions, the event-by-event variation of the elliptic flow $v_2$ reflects fluctuations in the shape of the initial state of the system. This allows to select events with the same centrality but different initial geometry. This selection technique, Event Shape Engineering, has been used in the analysis of charge-dependent two- and three-particle correlations in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{\rm NN}}} =2.76$ TeV. The two-particle correlator $\langle \cos(\varphi_\alpha - \varphi_\beta) \rangle$, calculated for different combinations of charges $\alpha$ and $\beta$, is almost independent of $v_2$ (for a given centrality), while the three-particle correlator $\langle \cos(\varphi_\alpha + \varphi_\beta - 2\Psi_2) \rangle$ scales almost linearly both with the event $v_2$ and charged-particle pseudorapidity density. The charge dependence of the three-particle correlator is often interpreted as evidence for the Chiral Magnetic Effect (CME), a parity violating effect of the strong interaction. However, its measured dependence on $v_2$ points to a large non-CME contribution to the correlator. Comparing the results with Monte Carlo calculations including a magnetic field due to the spectators, the upper limit of the CME signal contribution to the three-particle correlator in the 10-50% centrality interval is found to be 26-33% at 95% confidence level.
$v_2\{EP\}$ with $|\Delta\eta| > 2.0$ as a function of centrality for unbiased events in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV.
$v_2\{EP\}$ with $|\Delta\eta| > 2.0$ as a function of centrality for shape selected events (0-10% $q_2$) in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV.
$v_2\{EP\}$ with $|\Delta\eta| > 2.0$ as a function of centrality for shape selected events (10-20% $q_2$) in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV.
We present the results of three-dimensional femtoscopic analyses for charged and neutral kaons recorded by ALICE in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV. Femtoscopy is used to measure the space-time characteristics of particle production from the effects of quantum statistics and final-state interactions in two-particle correlations. Kaon femtoscopy is an important supplement to that of pions because it allows one to distinguish between different model scenarios working equally well for pions. In particular, we compare the measured 3D kaon radii with a purely hydrodynamical calculation and a model where the hydrodynamic phase is followed by a hadronic rescattering stage. The former predicts an approximate transverse mass ($m_{\mathrm{T}}$) scaling of source radii obtained from pion and kaon correlations. This $m_{\mathrm{T}}$ scaling appears to be broken in our data, which indicates the importance of the hadronic rescattering phase at LHC energies. A $k_{\mathrm{T}}$ scaling of pion and kaon source radii is observed instead. The time of maximal emission of the system is estimated using the three-dimensional femtoscopic analysis for kaons. The measured emission time is larger than that of pions. Our observation is well supported by the hydrokinetic model predictions.
Out projection of raw 3D LCMS K+- K+- correlation function for 0.2 < kT < 0.4 GeV/c bin.
Side projection of raw 3D LCMS K+- K+- correlation function for 0.2 < kT < 0.4 GeV/c bin
Long projection of raw 3D LCMS K+- K+- correlation function for 0.2 < kT < 0.4 GeV/c bin
The correlations between event-by-event fluctuations of anisotropic flow harmonic amplitudes have been measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The results are reported in terms of multiparticle correlation observables dubbed Symmetric Cumulants. These observables are robust against biases originating from nonflow effects. The centrality dependence of correlations between the higher order harmonics (the quadrangular $v_4$ and pentagonal $v_5$ flow) and the lower order harmonics (the elliptic $v_2$ and triangular $v_3$ flow) is presented. The transverse momentum dependence of correlations between $v_3$ and $v_2$ and between $v_4$ and $v_2$ is also reported. The results are compared to calculations from viscous hydrodynamics and A Multi-Phase Transport ({AMPT}) model calculations. The comparisons to viscous hydrodynamic models demonstrate that the different order harmonic correlations respond differently to the initial conditions and the temperature dependence of the ratio of shear viscosity to entropy density ($\eta/s$). A small average value of $\eta/s$ is favored independent of the specific choice of initial conditions in the models. The calculations with the AMPT initial conditions yield results closest to the measurements. Correlations between the magnitudes of $v_2$, $v_3$ and $v_4$ show moderate $p_{\rm T}$ dependence in mid-central collisions. Together with existing measurements of individual flow harmonics, the presented results provide further constraints on the initial conditions and the transport properties of the system produced in heavy-ion collisions.
Centrality dependence of observables SC(5,2) in Pb-Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV.
Centrality dependence of observables SC(5,2) in Pb-Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV.
Centrality dependence of observables SC(5,3) in Pb-Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV.
An invariant differential cross section measurement of inclusive $\pi^{0}$ and $\eta$ meson production at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=8$ TeV was carried out by the ALICE experiment at the LHC. The spectra of $\pi^{0}$ and $\eta$ mesons were measured in transverse momentum ranges of $0.3<p_{\rm T}<35$ GeV/$c$ and $0.5<p_{\rm T}<35$ GeV/$c$, respectively. Next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations using fragmentation functions DSS14 for the $\pi^{0}$ and AESSS for the $\eta$ overestimate the cross sections of both neutral mesons, although such calculations agree with the measured $\eta/\pi^{0}$ ratio within uncertainties. The results were also compared with PYTHIA~8.2 predictions for which the Monash~2013 tune yields the best agreement with the measured neutral meson spectra. The measurements confirm a universal behavior of the $\eta/\pi^{0}$ ratio seen for NA27, PHENIX and ALICE data for pp collisions from $\sqrt{s}=27.5$ GeV to $\sqrt{s}=8$ TeV within experimental uncertainties. A relation between the $\pi^{0}$ and $\eta$ production cross sections for pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=8$ TeV is given by $m_{\rm T}$ scaling for $p_{\rm T}>3.5$ GeV/$c$. However, a deviation from this empirical scaling rule is observed for transverse momenta below $p_{\rm T}<3.5$ GeV/$c$ in the $\eta/\pi^0$ ratio with a significance of $6.2\sigma$.
Invariant differential cross section of $\pi^0$ produced in inelastic pp collisions at center-of-mass energy 8 TeV, the uncertainty of $\sigma_{MB}$ of 2.6% is not included in the systematic error.
Invariant differential cross section of $\pi^0$ produced in inelastic pp collisions at center of mass energy 8 TeV, the uncertainty of $\sigma_{MB}$ of 2.6% is not included in the systematic error.
Invariant differential cross section of $\eta$ produced in inelastic pp collisions at center-of-mass energy 8 TeV, the uncertainty of $\sigma_{MB}$ of 2.6% is not included in the systematic error.
The transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) spectra and elliptic flow coefficient ($v_2$) of deuterons and anti-deuterons at mid-rapidity ($|y|<0.5$) are measured with the ALICE detector at the LHC in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV. The measurement of the $p_{\rm T}$ spectra of (anti-)deuterons is done up to 8 GeV/$c$ in 0-10% centrality class and up to GeV/$c$ in 10-20% and 20-40% centrality classes. The $v_2$ is measured in the $0.8 <p_{\rm T} <5$ GeV/$c$ interval and in six different centrality intervals (0-5%, 5-10%, 10-20%, 20-30%, 30-40% and 40-50%) using the scalar product technique. Measured $\pi^{\pm}$, K$^{\pm}$ and p+$\overline{\mathrm{p}}$ transverse-momentum spectra and $v_2$ are used to predict the deuteron $p_{\rm T}$ spectra and $v_2$ within the Blast-Wave model. The predictions are able to reproduce the $v_2$ coefficient in the measured $p_{\rm T}$ range and the transverse-momentum spectra for $p_{\rm T}>1.8$ GeV/$c$ within the experimental uncertainties. The measurement of the coalescence parameter $B_2$ is performed, showing a $p_{\rm T}$ dependence in contrast with the simplest coalescence model, which fails to reproduce also the measured $v_2$ coefficient. In addition, the coalescence parameter $B_2$ and the elliptic flow coefficient in the 20-40% centrality interval are compared with the AMPT model which is able, in its version without string melting, to reproduce the measured $v_2$($p_{\rm T}$) and the $B_2$($p_{\rm T}$) trend.
Deuteron $p_{\mathrm T}$ spectra for $p_{\mathrm T} > $ 4.4 GeV/$c$. Low $p_{\mathrm T}$ points can be found here 'http://hepdata.cedar.ac.uk/view/ins1380491'
$\overline{\mathrm d}/ d $ vs $p_{\mathrm T}$ for $p_{\mathrm T} > $ 4.4 GeV/$c$. Low $p_{\mathrm T}$ points can be found here 'http://hepdata.cedar.ac.uk/view/ins1380491'
v2 of anti-deuterons and deuterons vs $p_{\mathrm T}$ for different centrality intervals
The measurement of azimuthal correlations of charged particles is presented for Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=$ 2.76 TeV and p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=$ 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. These correlations are measured for the second, third and fourth order flow vector in the pseudorapidity region $|\eta|<0.8$ as a function of centrality and transverse momentum $p_{\rm T}$ using two observables, to search for evidence of $p_{\rm T}$-dependent flow vector fluctuations. For Pb-Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV, the measurements indicate that $p_{\rm T}$-dependent fluctuations are only present for the second order flow vector. Similar results have been found for p-Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV. These measurements are compared to hydrodynamic model calculations with event-by-event geometry fluctuations in the initial state to constrain the initial conditions and transport properties of the matter created in Pb-Pb and p-Pb collisions.
$v_2\{2\}$ with $|\eta| > 0.0$ for centrality class 0-5\% in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 2.76$ TeV.
$v_2\{2\}$ with $|\eta| > 0.0$ for centrality class 5-10\% in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 2.76$ TeV.
$v_2\{2\}$ with $|\eta| > 0.0$ for centrality class 10-20\% in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 2.76$ TeV.
We present the first ever measurements of femtoscopic correlations between the K$^0_{\rm S}$ and K$^{\rm \pm}$ particles. The analysis was performed on the data from Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76$ TeV measured by the ALICE experiment. The observed femtoscopic correlations are consistent with final-state interactions proceeding via the $a_0(980)$ resonance. The extracted kaon source radius and correlation strength parameters for K$^0_{\rm S}$K$^{\rm -}$ are found to be equal within the experimental uncertainties to those for K$^0_{\rm S}$K$^{\rm +}$. Comparing the results of the present study with those from published identical-kaon femtoscopic studies by ALICE, mass and coupling parameters for the $a_0$ resonance are constrained. Our results are also compatible with the interpretation of the $a_0$ having a tetraquark structure over that of a diquark.
Raw K0s K+ correlation function for all kT bin
Raw K0s K+ correlation function for kT < 0.675 GeV/c bin
Raw K0s K+ correlation function for kT > 0.675 GeV/c bin
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