First measurements of balance functions (BFs) of all combinations of identified charged hadron $(\pi,\rm K,\rm p)$ pairs in Pb$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV recorded by the ALICE detector are presented. The BF measurements are carried out as two-dimensional differential correlators versus the relative rapidity ($\Delta y$) and azimuthal angle ($\Delta\varphi$) of hadron pairs, and studied as a function of collision centrality. The $\Delta\varphi$ dependence of BFs is expected to be sensitive to the light quark diffusivity in the quark$-$gluon plasma. While the BF azimuthal widths of all pairs substantially decrease from peripheral to central collisions, the longitudinal widths exhibit mixed behaviors: BFs of $\pi\pi$ and cross-species pairs narrow significantly in more central collisions, whereas those of $\rm KK$ and $\rm pp$ are found to be independent of collision centrality. This dichotomy is qualitatively consistent with the presence of strong radial flow effects and the existence of two stages of quark production in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. Finally, the first measurements of the collision centrality evolution of BF integrals are presented, with the observation that charge balancing fractions are nearly independent of collision centrality in Pb$-$Pb collisions. Overall, the results presented provide new and challenging constraints for theoretical models of hadron production and transport in relativistic heavy-ion collisions.
Balance function $B^{\pi\pi}$ measured in semicentral Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76\;\text{TeV}$ ($\pi,{\rm K}: 0.2 \leq p_{\rm T} \leq 2.0\;{\rm GeV}/c$; ${\rm p}: 0.5 \leq p_{\rm T} \leq 2.5\;{\rm GeV}/c$).
Balance function $B^{{\rm KK}}$ measured in semicentral Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76\;\text{TeV}$ ($\pi,{\rm K}: 0.2 \leq p_{\rm T} \leq 2.0\;{\rm GeV}/c$; ${\rm p}: 0.5 \leq p_{\rm T} \leq 2.5\;{\rm GeV}/c$).
Balance function $B^{{\rm p\bar{p}}}$ measured in semicentral Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76\;\text{TeV}$ ($\pi,{\rm K}: 0.2 \leq p_{\rm T} \leq 2.0\;{\rm GeV}/c$; ${\rm p}: 0.5 \leq p_{\rm T} \leq 2.5\;{\rm GeV}/c$).
A measurement of the inclusive b-jet production cross section is presented in pp and p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV, using data collected with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The jets were reconstructed in the central rapidity region $|\eta|<0.5$ from charged particles using the anti-$k_{\rm T}$ algorithm with resolution parameter $R=0.4$. Identification of b jets exploits the long lifetime of b hadrons, using the properties of secondary vertices and impact parameter distributions. The $p_{\rm T}$-differential inclusive production cross section of b jets, as well as the corresponding inclusive b-jet fraction, are reported for pp and p-Pb collisions in the jet transverse momentum range $10 \le p_{\text{T, ch jet}} \le 100$ GeV/$c$, together with the nuclear modification factor, $R_{\rm pPb}^{\text{b-jet}}$. The analysis thus extends the lower $p_{\rm T}$ limit of b-jet measurements at the LHC. The nuclear modification factor is found to be consistent with unity, indicating that the production of b jets in p-Pb at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV is not affected by cold nuclear matter effects within the current precision. The measurements are well reproduced by POWHEG NLO pQCD calculations with PYTHIA fragmentation.
Fig. 11 left: The $p_\mathrm{T}$ differential production cross section of charged-particle anti-$k_{T}$ $R=0.4$ b jets in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}~=~5.02$ TeV using the SV method.
Fig. 11 left: The $p_\mathrm{T}$ differential production cross section of charged-particle anti-$k_{T}$ $R=0.4$ b jets in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}~=~5.02$ TeV using the IP method.
Fig. 11 right: The $p_\mathrm{T}$ differential production cross section of charged-particle anti-$k_{T}$ $R=0.4$ b jets in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}~=~5.02$ TeV using the SV method.
The production of J/$\psi$ is measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.9$) in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 and 13 TeV, through the dielectron decay channel, using the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The data sets used for the analyses correspond to integrated luminosities of $\mathcal{L}_{\rm int}$ = 19.4 $\pm$ 0.4 nb$^{-1}$ and $\mathcal{L}_{\rm int}$ = 32.2 $\pm$ 0.5 nb$^{-1}$ at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 and 13 TeV, respectively. The fraction of non-prompt J/$\psi$ mesons, i.e. those originating from the decay of beauty hadrons, is measured down to a transverse momentum $p_{\rm T}$ = 2 GeV/$c$ (1 GeV/$c$) at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV (13 TeV). The $p_{\rm T}$ and rapidity ($y$) differential cross sections, as well as the corresponding values integrated over $p_{\rm T}$ and $y$, are carried out separately for prompt and non-prompt J/$\psi$ mesons. The results are compared with measurements from other experiments and theoretical calculations based on quantum chromodynamics (QCD). The shapes of the $p_{\rm T}$ and $y$ distributions of beauty quarks predicted by state-of-the-art perturbative QCD models are used to extrapolate an estimate of the $\rm b\overline{b}$ pair cross section at midrapidity and in the total phase space. The total $\rm b\overline{b}$ cross sections are found to be $\sigma_{\rm b \overline{\rm b}} = 541 \pm 45 (\rm stat.) \pm 69 (\rm syst.)_{-12}^{+10} (\rm extr.)~{\rm \mu b}$ and $\sigma_{\rm b \overline{\rm b}}~=~218 \pm 37 (\rm stat.) \pm 31 (\rm syst.)_{-9.1}^{+8.2} (\rm extr.)~{\rm \mu b}$ at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 and 5.02 TeV, respectively. The value obtained from the combination of ALICE and LHCb measurements in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV is also provided.
Non-prompt J/$\psi$ fraction as a function of transverse momentum in pp at 13 TeV
Non-prompt J/$\psi$ fraction as a function of transverse momentum in pp at 5.02 TeV
Non-prompt J/$\psi$ cross section as a function of transverse momentum in pp at 13 TeV
This article presents groomed jet substructure measurements in pp and Pb$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV with the ALICE detector. The Soft Drop grooming algorithm provides access to the hard parton splittings inside a jet by removing soft wide-angle radiation. We report the groomed jet momentum splitting fraction, $z_{\rm g}$, and the (scaled) groomed jet radius, $\theta_{\rm g}$. Charged-particle jets are reconstructed at midrapidity using the anti-kT algorithm with resolution parameters $R = 0.2$ and $R = 0.4$. In heavy-ion collisions, the large underlying event poses a challenge for the reconstruction of groomed jet observables, since fluctuations in the background can cause groomed parton splittings to be misidentified. By using strong grooming conditions to reduce this background, we report these observables fully corrected for detector effects and background fluctuations for the first time. A narrowing of the $\theta_{\rm g}$ distribution in Pb$-$Pb collisions compared to pp collisions is seen, which provides direct evidence of the modification of the angular structure of jets in the quark$-$gluon plasma. No significant modification of the $z_{\rm g}$ distribution in Pb$-$Pb collisions compared to pp collisions is observed. These results are compared with a variety of theoretical models of jet quenching, and provide constraints on jet energy-loss mechanisms and coherence effects in the quark$-$gluon plasma.
Groomed jet momentum splitting fraction $z_{{\mathrm{g}}}$ in pp collisions. $60<p_{\mathrm{T,\;ch\;jet}}<80 \;\mathrm{GeV}/c$, Soft Drop $z_{\mathrm{cut}}=0.2, \beta=0$. Note: The first bin corresponds to the Soft Drop untagged fraction. For the "trkeff" and "generator" systematic uncertainty sources, the signed systematic uncertainty breakdowns ($\pm$ vs. $\mp$), denote correlation across bins (both within this table, and across tables for a given centrality). For the remaining sources ("unfolding") no correlation information is specified ($\pm$ is always used).
Groomed jet momentum splitting fraction $z_{{\mathrm{g}}}$ in Pb-Pb collisions. $60<p_{\mathrm{T,\;ch\;jet}}<80 \;\mathrm{GeV}/c$, Soft Drop $z_{\mathrm{cut}}=0.2, \beta=0$. Note: The first bin corresponds to the Soft Drop untagged fraction.
Groomed jet momentum splitting fraction $z_{{\mathrm{g}}}$ $-$ ratio of Pb-Pb to pp collisions. $60<p_{\mathrm{T,\;ch\;jet}}<80 \;\mathrm{GeV}/c$, Soft Drop $z_{\mathrm{cut}}=0.2, \beta=0$. Note: The first bin corresponds to the Soft Drop untagged fraction.
The jet angularities are a class of jet substructure observables which characterize the angular and momentum distribution of particles within jets. These observables are sensitive to momentum scales ranging from perturbative hard scatterings to nonperturbative fragmentation into final-state hadrons. We report measurements of several groomed and ungroomed jet angularities in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=5.02$ TeV with the ALICE detector. Jets are reconstructed using charged particle tracks at midrapidity ($|\eta| < 0.9$). The anti-$k_{\rm T}$ algorithm is used with jet resolution parameters $R=0.2$ and $R=0.4$ for several transverse momentum $p_{\rm T}^{\text{ch jet}}$ intervals in the 20$-$100 GeV/$c$ range. Using the jet grooming algorithm Soft Drop, the sensitivity to softer, wide-angle processes, as well as the underlying event, can be reduced in a way which is well-controlled in theoretical calculations. We report the ungroomed jet angularities, $\lambda_{\alpha}$, and groomed jet angularities, $\lambda_{\alpha\text{,g}}$, to investigate the interplay between perturbative and nonperturbative effects at low jet momenta. Various angular exponent parameters $\alpha = 1$, 1.5, 2, and 3 are used to systematically vary the sensitivity of the observable to collinear and soft radiation. Results are compared to analytical predictions at next-to-leading-logarithmic accuracy, which provide a generally good description of the data in the perturbative regime but exhibit discrepancies in the nonperturbative regime. Moreover, these measurements serve as a baseline for future ones in heavy-ion collisions by providing new insight into the interplay between perturbative and nonperturbative effects in the angular and momentum substructure of jets. They supply crucial guidance on the selection of jet resolution parameter, jet transverse momentum, and angular scaling variable for jet quenching studies.
Jet angularity $\lambda_{\alpha}$ for $\alpha = 1$. $20<p_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{ch jet}}<40$. For the "trkeff" and "generator" systematic uncertainty sources, the signed systematic uncertainty breakdowns ($\pm$ vs. $\mp$), denote correlation across bins (both within this table, and across tables). For the remaining sources ("unfolding", "random_mass") no correlation information is specified ($\pm$ is always used).
Jet angularity $\lambda_{\alpha}$ for $\alpha = 1.5$. $20<p_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{ch jet}}<40$. For the "trkeff" and "generator" systematic uncertainty sources, the signed systematic uncertainty breakdowns ($\pm$ vs. $\mp$), denote correlation across bins (both within this table, and across tables). For the remaining sources ("unfolding", "random_mass") no correlation information is specified ($\pm$ is always used).
Jet angularity $\lambda_{\alpha}$ for $\alpha = 2$. $20<p_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{ch jet}}<40$. For the "trkeff" and "generator" systematic uncertainty sources, the signed systematic uncertainty breakdowns ($\pm$ vs. $\mp$), denote correlation across bins (both within this table, and across tables). For the remaining sources ("unfolding", "random_mass") no correlation information is specified ($\pm$ is always used).
The polarization of the $\Lambda$ and $\overline\Lambda$ hyperons along the beam ($z$) direction, $P_{\rm z}$, has been measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02TeV recorded with ALICE at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The main contribution to $P_{\rm z}$ comes from elliptic flow induced vorticity and can be characterized by the second Fourier sine coefficient $P_{\rm z,s2} = \langle P_{\rm z} \sin(2\varphi - 2 \Psi_{\rm 2}) \rangle$, where $\varphi$ is the hyperon azimuthal emission angle, and $\Psi_{\rm 2}$ is the elliptic flow plane angle. We report the measurement of $P_{\rm z,\,{\rm s2}}$ for different collision centralities, and in the 30-50% centrality interval as a function of the hyperon transverse momentum and rapidity. The $P_{\rm z,\,{\rm s2}}$ is positive similarly as measured by the STAR Collaboration in Au-Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 200 GeV, with somewhat smaller amplitude in the semi-central collisions. This is the first experimental evidence of a non-zero hyperon $P_{\rm z}$ in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC. The comparison of the measured $P_{\rm z,\,{\rm s2}}$ with the hydrodynamic model calculations shows sensitivity to the competing contributions from thermal and the recently found shear induced vorticity, as well as to whether the polarization is acquired at the quark-gluon plasma or the hadronic phase.
Invariant mass dependence of the $P_{z}$ for $\overline\Lambda$ in the 30-40% centrality class in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02$ TeV.
The average $(\Lambda + \overline\Lambda)$ polarization along beam direction as function of centrality in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02$ TeV.
The average $(\Lambda + \overline\Lambda)$ polarization along beam direction as function of hyperon transverse momentum ($p_{\mathrm{T}}$) for 30-50% centrality in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02$ TeV.
Measurements of elliptic ($v_2$) and triangular ($v_3$) flow coefficients of $\pi^{\pm}$, K$^{\pm}$, p+$\rm \overline{p}$, K$^0_{\rm S}$, and $\Lambda + \overline{\Lambda}$ obtained with the scalar product method in Xe-Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.44 TeV are presented. The results are obtained in the rapidity range $\left | y \right |<0.5$ and reported as a function of transverse momentum, $p_{\rm T}$, for several collision centrality classes. The flow coefficients exhibit a particle mass dependence for $p_{\rm T}<3$ GeV/$c$, while a grouping according to particle type (i.e., meson and baryon) is found at intermediate transverse momenta (3< $p_{\rm T}$ <8 GeV/$c$). The magnitude of the baryon $v_{2}$ is larger than that of mesons up to $p_{\rm T}$ = 6 GeV/$c$. The centrality dependence of the shape evolution of the $p_{\rm T}$-differential $v_2$ is studied for the various hadron species. The $v_2$ coefficients of $\pi^{\pm}$, K$^{\pm}$, and p+$\rm \overline{p}$ are reproduced by MUSIC hydrodynamic calculations coupled to a hadronic cascade model (UrQMD) for $p_{\rm T} <1$ GeV/$c$. A comparison with $v_{\rm n}$ measurements in the corresponding centrality intervals in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV yields an enhanced $v_2$ in central collisions and diminished value in semicentral collisions.
$v_2\{2, |\Delta\eta| > 2.0\}$ of $\pi^{\pm}$ as a function of $p_{\rm T}$ for the 0-5% centrality interval.
$v_2\{2, |\Delta\eta| > 2.0\}$ of $\pi^{\pm}$ as a function of $p_{\rm T}$ for the 5-10% centrality interval.
$v_2\{2, |\Delta\eta| > 2.0\}$ of $\pi^{\pm}$ as a function of $p_{\rm T}$ for the 10-20% centrality interval.
The study of nuclei and antinuclei production has proven to be a powerful tool to investigate the formation mechanism of loosely bound states in high-energy hadronic collisions. The first measurement of the production of ${\rm ^{3}_{\Lambda}\rm H}$ in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV is presented in this Letter. Its production yield measured in the rapidity interval $-1 < y < 0$ for the 40% highest multiplicity p-Pb collisions is ${\rm d} N /{\rm d} y =[\mathrm{6.3 \pm 1.8 (stat.) \pm 1.2 (syst.) ] \times 10^{-7}}$. The measurement is compared with the expectations of statistical hadronisation and coalescence models, which describe the nucleosynthesis in hadronic collisions. These two models predict very different yields of the hypertriton in charged particle multiplicity environments relevant to small collision systems such as p-Pb and therefore the measurement of ${\rm d} N /{\rm d} y$ is crucial to distinguish between them. The precision of this measurement leads to the exclusion with a significance larger than 6.9$\sigma$ of some configurations of the statistical hadronization model, thus constraining the theory behind the production of loosely bound states at hadron colliders.
Integrated yield of hypertriton produced in 0-40% p-Pb collisions
Hypertriton over $\Lambda$ ratio in 0-40% p-Pb collisions
$S_3$ in the 40% largest multiplicity p-Pb collisions
The energy deposited at very forward rapidities (very forward energy) is a powerful tool for characterising proton fragmentation in pp and p$-$Pb collisions. The correlation of very forward energy with particle production at midrapidity provides direct insights into the initial stages and the subsequent evolution of the collision. Furthermore, the correlation with the production of particles with large transverse momenta at midrapidity provides information complementary to the measurements of the underlying event, which are usually interpreted in the framework of models implementing centrality-dependent multiple parton interactions. Results about very forward energy, measured by the ALICE zero degree calorimeters (ZDCs), and its dependence on the activity measured at midrapidity in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV and in p$-$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}=8.16$ TeV are discussed. The measurements performed in pp collisions are compared with the expectations of three hadronic interaction event generators: PYTHIA 6 (Perugia 2011 tune), PYTHIA 8 (Monash tune), and EPOS LHC. These results provide new constraints on the validity of models in describing the beam remnants at very forward rapidities, where perturbative QCD cannot be used.
Average signal on A-side vs. C-side ZN in pp collisions at 13 TeV
Average signal on A-side vs. C-side ZP in pp collisions at 13 TeV
Pb-remnant side ZN signal normalized to MB value vs. ZN centrality percentile in p-Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV
The production of K$^{*}(892)^{0}$ and $\phi(1020)$ mesons in proton-proton (pp) and lead-lead (Pb-Pb) collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.02$ TeV has been measured using the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The transverse momentum ($p_{\mathrm{T}}$) distributions of K$^{*}(892)^{0}$ and $\phi(1020)$ mesons have been measured at midrapidity $(|y|<0.5)$ up to $p_{\mathrm{T}} = 20$ GeV$/c$ in inelastic pp collisions and for several Pb-Pb collision centralities. The collision centrality and collision energy dependence of the average transverse momenta agree with the radial flow scenario observed with stable hadrons, showing that the effect is stronger for more central collisions and higher collision energies. The $\mathrm{K^{*0}/K}$ ratio is found to be suppressed in Pb-Pb collisions relative to pp collisions: this indicates a loss of the measured K$^{*}(892)^{0}$ signal due to rescattering of its decay products in the hadronic phase. In contrast, for the longer-lived $\phi(1020)$ mesons, no such suppression is observed. The nuclear modification factors ($R_{\rm AA}$) of K$^{*}(892)^{0}$ and $\phi(1020)$ mesons are calculated using pp reference spectra at the same collision energy. In central Pb-Pb collisions for $p_{\rm T} > 8$ GeV$/c$, the $R_{\rm AA}$ values of K$^{*}(892)^{0}$ and $\phi(1020)$ are below unity and observed to be similar to those of pions, kaons, and (anti)protons. The $R_{\rm AA}$ values at high $p_{\mathrm T}$ ($>$~8 GeV$/c$) for K$^{*}(892)^{0}$ and $\phi(1020)$ mesons are in agreement within uncertainties for $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.02$ and 2.76 TeV.
$p_{T}$-dependent nuclear modification factor of $\rm{K}^{*0}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson measured in 0-10% centrality class for Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV.
$p_{T}$-dependent nuclear modification factor of $\rm{K}^{*0}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson measured in 10-20% centrality class for Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV.
$p_{T}$-dependent nuclear modification factor of $\rm{K}^{*0}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson measured in 20-30% centrality class for Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV.
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