The study of the strength and behaviour of the antikaon-nucleon ($\mathrm{\overline{K}N}$) interaction constitutes one of the key focuses of the strangeness sector in low-energy Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). In this letter a unique high-precision measurement of the strong interaction between kaons and protons, close and above the kinematic threshold, is presented. The femtoscopic measurements of the correlation function at low pair-frame relative momentum of (K$^+$ p $\oplus$ K$^-$ $\overline{\mathrm{p}}$) and (K$^-$ p $\oplus$ K$^+$ $\overline{\mathrm{p}}$) pairs measured in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5, 7 and 13 TeV are reported. A structure observed around a relative momentum of 58 MeV/$c$ in the measured correlation function of (K$^-$ p $\oplus$ K$^+$ $\overline{\mathrm{p}}$) with a significance of 4.4. $\sigma$ constitutes the first experimental evidence for the opening of the $(\mathrm{\overline{K}^0 n} \oplus \mathrm{K^0 \overline{n}})$ isospin breaking channel due to the mass difference between charged and neutral kaons. The measured correlation functions have been compared to J\"{u}lich and Kyoto models in addition to the Coulomb potential. The high-precision data at low relative momenta presented in this work prove femtoscopy to be a powerful complementary tool to scattering experiments and provide new constraints above the $\mathrm{\overline{K}N}$ threshold for low-energy QCD chiral models.
K-p correlation function in p-p collisions at $\sqrt{s}=5$ TeV.
K-p correlation function in p-p collisions at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV.
K-p correlation function in p-p collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV.
The production of $\mathrm{K}^{*}(\mathrm{892})^{0}$ and $\mathrm{\phi(1020)}$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 8 TeV was measured using Run 1 data collected by the ALICE collaboration at the LHC. The $p_{\rm{T}}$-differential yields d$^{\rm 2}N$/d$y$d$p_{\rm{T}}$ in the range $0 < p_{\rm{T}} < 20$ GeV/$c$ for $\rm{K}^{*0}$ and $0.4 < p_{\rm{T}} < 16$ GeV/$c$ for $\phi$ have been measured at midrapidity, $|y| < 0.5$. Moreover, improved measurements of the $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$ and $\phi(1020)$ at $\sqrt{s} = 7$TeV are presented. The collision energy dependence of $p_{\rm{T}}$ distributions, $p_{\rm{T}}$-integrated yields and particle ratios in inelastic pp collisions are examined. The results are also compared with different collision systems. The values of the particle ratios are found to be similar to those measured at other LHC energies. In pp collisions a hardening of the particle spectra is observed with increasing energy, but at the same time it is also observed that the relative particle abundances are independent of the collision energy. The $p_{\rm{T}}$-differential yields of $\rm{K}^{*0}$ and $\phi$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 8$ TeV are compared with the expectations of different Monte Carlo event generators.
We report on the measurement of the inclusive J/$\psi$ polarization parameters in pp collisions at a center of mass energy $\sqrt{s} = 8$ TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.23 pb$^{-1}$. J/$\psi$ resonances are reconstructed in their di-muon decay channel in the rapidity interval $2.5 < y < 4.0$ and over the transverse-momentum interval $2 < p_{\rm T} < 15$ GeV/$c$. The three polarization parameters ($\lambda_\theta$, $\lambda_\varphi$, $\lambda_{\theta\varphi}$) are measured as a function of $p_{\rm T}$ both in the helicity and Collins-Soper reference frames. The measured J/$\psi$ polarization parameters are found to be compatible with zero within uncertainties, contrary to expectations from all available predictions. The results are compared with the measurement in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 7$ TeV.
ALICE inclusive J/psi polarization parameters lambda_theta in the Collins-Soper frame as a function of p_T in pp collisions at sqrt{s} = 8 TeV in the rapidity interval 2.5 < y < 4.0. The error bars represent the total uncertainties.
ALICE inclusive J/psi polarization parameters lambda_phi in the Collins-Soper frame as a function of p_T in pp collisions at sqrt{s} = 8 TeV in the rapidity interval 2.5 < y < 4.0. The error bars represent the total uncertainties.
ALICE inclusive J/psi polarization parameters lambda_thetaphi in the Collins-Soper frame as a function of p_T in pp collisions at sqrt{s} = 8 TeV in the rapidity interval 2.5 < y < 4.0. The error bars represent the total uncertainties.
Measurement of Z-boson production in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=8.16$ TeV and Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02$ TeV is reported. It is performed in the dimuon decay channel, through the detection of muons with pseudorapidity $-4 < \eta_{\mu} < -2.5$ and transverse momentum $p_{\rm T}^{\mu} > 20$ GeV/$c$ in the laboratory frame. The invariant yield and nuclear modification factor are measured for opposite-sign dimuons with invariant mass $60 < m^{\mu\mu} < 120$ GeV$c^2$ and rapidity $2.5 < y_{cms}^{\mu\mu} < 4$. They are presented as a function of rapidity and, for the Pb-Pb collisions, of centrality as well. The results are compared with theoretical calculations, both with and without nuclear modifications to the Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs). In p-Pb collisions the center-of-mass frame is boosted with respect to the laboratory frame, and the measurements cover the backward ($-4.46< y_{cms}^{\mu\mu}<-2.96$) and forward ($2.03< y_{cms}^{\mu\mu}<3.53$) rapidity regions. For the p-Pb collisions, the results are consistent within experimental and theoretical uncertainties with calculations that include both free-nucleon and nuclear-modified PDFs. For the Pb-Pb collisions, a $3.4\sigma$ deviation is seen in the integrated yield between the data and calculations based on the free-nucleon PDFs, while good agreement is found once nuclear modifications are considered.
Differential fiducial cross section in p-Pb
Integrated fiducial invariant yield in Pb-Pb
Rapidity differential fiducial invariant yield in Pb-Pb
Neutral pion ($\pi^{0}$) and $\eta$ meson production cross sections were measured up to unprecedentedly high transverse momenta ($p_{\rm T}$) in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 8.16 TeV. The mesons were reconstructed via their two-photon decay channel in the rapidity interval $-1.3< y <0.3$ in the ranges of $0.4<p_{\rm T}<200$ GeV/$c$ and $1.0<p_{\rm T}<50$ GeV/$c$, respectively. The respective nuclear modification factor ($R_{\rm pPb}$) is presented for $p_{\rm T}$ up to of 200 and 30 GeV/$c$, where the former was achieved by extending the $\pi^{0}$ measurement in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 8 TeV using the merged cluster technique. The values of $R_{\rm pPb}$ are below unity for $p_{\rm T}<10$ GeV/$c$, while they are consistent with unity for $p_{\rm T}>10$ GeV/$c$, leaving essentially no room for final state energy loss. The new data provide strong constraints for nuclear parton distribution and fragmentation functions over a broad kinematic range and are compared to model predictions as well as previous results at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV.
Invariant differential cross section of PI0 produced in inelastic p-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon of 8.16 TeV, the uncertainty of $\sigma_\mbox{MB}$ of 1.9% is not included in the systematic error.
Invariant differential cross section of PI0 produced in inelastic pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV, the uncertainty of $\sigma_\mbox{MB}$ of 2.6% is not included in the systematic error.
Invariant differential cross section of ETA produced in inelastic p-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon of 8.16 TeV, the uncertainty of $\sigma_\mbox{MB}$ of 1.9% is not included in the systematic error.
The production of $\pi^{\pm}$, $\rm{K}^{\pm}$, $\rm{K}^{0}_{S}$, $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$, $\rm{p}$, $\phi(1020)$, $\Lambda$, $\Xi^{-}$, $\Omega^{-}$, and their antiparticles was measured in inelastic proton-proton (pp) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) as a function of transverse momentum ($p_{\rm{T}}$) using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. Furthermore, the single-particle $p_{\rm{T}}$ distributions of $\rm{K}^{0}_{S}$, $\Lambda$, and $\overline{\Lambda}$ in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV are reported here for the first time. The $p_{\rm{T}}$ distributions are studied at midrapidity within the transverse momentum range $0\leq p_{\rm{T}}\leq20$ GeV/$c$, depending on the particle species. The $p_{\rm{T}}$ spectra, integrated yields, and particle yield ratios are discussed as a function of collision energy and compared with measurements at lower $\sqrt{s}$ and with results from various general-purpose QCD-inspired Monte Carlo models. A hardening of the spectra at high $p_{\rm{T}}$ with increasing collision energy is observed, which is similar for all particle species under study. The transverse mass and $x_{\rm{T}}\equiv2p_{\rm{T}}/\sqrt{s}$ scaling properties of hadron production are also studied. As the collision energy increases from $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 to 13 TeV, the yields of non- and single-strange hadrons normalized to the pion yields remain approximately constant as a function of $\sqrt{s}$, while ratios for multi-strange hadrons indicate enhancements. The $p_{\rm{T}}$-differential cross sections of $\pi^{\pm}$, $\rm{K}^{\pm}$ and $\rm{p}$ ($\overline{\rm{p}}$) are compared with next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations, which are found to overestimate the cross sections for $\pi^{\pm}$ and $\rm{p}$ ($\overline{\rm{p}}$) at high $p_{\rm{T}}$.
Transverse momentum spectrum of $\pi^{+} + \pi^{-}$ measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV. The normalization uncertainty of $\pm2.6\%$ is excluded.
Transverse momentum spectrum of $K^{+} + K^{-}$ measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV. The normalization uncertainty of $\pm2.6\%$ is excluded.
Transverse momentum spectrum of $K^{0}_{S}$ measured at midrapidity ($|y|<0.5$) in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV. The normalization uncertainty of $\pm2.6\%$ is excluded.
Inclusive J/$\psi$ yields and average transverse momenta in p-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 8.16 TeV are measured as a function of the charged-particle pseudorapidity density with ALICE. The J/$\psi$ mesons are reconstructed at forward $(2.03 < y_{\rm cms} < 3.53)$ and backward ($-4.46 < y_{\rm cms} < -2.96$) center-of-mass rapidity in their dimuon decay channel while the charged-particle pseudorapidity density is measured around midrapidity. The J/$\psi$ yields at forward and backward rapidity normalized to their respective average values increase with the normalized charged-particle pseudorapidity density, the former showing a weaker increase than the latter. The normalized average transverse momenta at forward and backward rapidity manifest a steady increase from low to high charged-particle pseudorapidity density with a saturation beyond the average value.
Relative yield of inclusive J/psi as a function of relative charged-particle pseudorapidity density at forward rapidity 2.03 < y_cms < 3.53 (p-going direction).
Relative yield of inclusive J/psi as a function of relative charged-particle pseudorapidity density at backward rapidity -4.46 < y_cms < -2.96 (Pb-going direction).
Mean transverse momentum of inclusive J/psi as a function of the relative charged-particle pseudorapidity density at forward rapidity 2.03 < y_cms < 3.53 (p-going direction).
Measurements of inclusive and direct photon production at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=2.76$ and 8 TeV are presented by the ALICE experiment at the LHC. The results are reported in transverse momentum ranges of $0.4<p_{T}<10$ GeV/$c$ and $0.3<p_{T}<16$ GeV/$c$, respectively. Photons are detected with the electromagnetic calorimeter~(EMCal) and via reconstruction of e$^+$e$^-$ pairs from conversions in the ALICE detector material using the central tracking system. For the final measurement of the inclusive photon spectra the results are combined in the overlapping $p_{T}$ interval of both methods. Direct photon spectra, or their upper limits at 90% C.L. are extracted using the direct photon excess ratio $R_{\gamma}$, which quantifies the ratio of inclusive photons over decay photons generated with a decay-photon simulation. An additional hybrid method, combining photons reconstructed from conversions with those identified in the EMCal, is used for the combination of the direct photon excess ratio $R_{\gamma}$, as well as the extraction of direct photon spectra or their upper limits. While no significant signal of direct photons is seen over the full $p_{T}$ range, $R_{\gamma}$ for $p_{T}>7$ GeV/$c$ is at least one $\sigma$ above unity and consistent with expectations from next-to-leading order pQCD calculations.
Double Ratio RGAMMA in inelastic pp collisions at center-of-mass energy 2.76 TeV. RGAMMA is the ratio of inclusive GAMMA to decay GAMMA.
Double Ratio RGAMMA in inelastic pp collisions at center-of-mass energy 8 TeV. RGAMMA is the ratio of inclusive GAMMA to decay GAMMA.
Invariant differential cross section of inclusive GAMMA produced in inelastic pp collisions at center-of-mass energy 2.76 TeV, the uncertainty of $\sigma_{MB}$ of 2.5% is not included in the systematic error. Values are given in the center of the PT bin.
Inclusive J/$\psi$ production is studied in p-Pb interactions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collision $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=8.16$ TeV, using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. The J/$\psi$ meson is reconstructed, via its decay to a muon pair, in the centre-of-mass rapidity intervals $2.03<y_{\rm {cms}}<3.53$ and $-4.46<y_{\rm {cms}}<-2.96$, where positive and negative $y_{\rm {cms}}$ refer to the p-going and Pb-going direction, respectively. The transverse momentum coverage is $p_{\rm T}<20$ GeV/$c$. In this paper, $y_{\rm cms}$- and $p_{\rm T}$-differential cross sections for inclusive J/$\psi$ production are presented, and the corresponding nuclear modification factors $R_{\rm pPb}$ are shown. Forward results show a suppression of the J/$\psi$ yield with respect to pp collisions, concentrated in the region $p_{\rm T}\lesssim 5$ GeV/$c$. At backward rapidity no significant suppression is observed. The results are compared to previous measurements by ALICE in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV and to theoretical calculations. Finally, the ratios $R_{\rm FB}$ between forward- and backward-$y_{\rm {cms}}$ $R_{\rm pPb}$ values are shown and discussed.
The y-differential inclusive JPsi cross section obtained in p-Pb and Pb-p collisions. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one is the uncorrelated systematic uncertainty, while the third one is the global uncertainty common to p-Pb and Pb-p results.
The pt-differential inclusive JPsi cross section obtained in Pb-p collisions. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one is the uncorrelated systematic uncertainty, while the third one is the global uncertainty common to p-Pb and Pb-p results.
The pt-differential inclusive JPsi nuclear modification factor obtained in p-Pb. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one is the uncorrelated systematic uncertainty, while the third one is the global uncertainty common to p-Pb and Pb-p results.
Inclusive $\psi$(2S) production is measured in p-Pb collisions at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}=8.16$ TeV, using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. The production of $\psi$(2S) is studied at forward ($2.03 < y_{\rm cms} < 3.53$) and backward ($-4.46 < y_{\rm cms} < -2.96$) centre-of-mass rapidity and for transverse momentum $p_{\rm{T}}$ $<$ 12 GeV/$c$ via the decay to muon pairs. In this paper, we report the integrated as well as the $y_{\rm cms}$- and $p_{\rm T}$-differential inclusive production cross sections. Nuclear effects on $\psi$(2S) production are studied via the determination of the nuclear modification factor that shows a strong suppression at both forward and backward centre-of-mass rapidities. Comparisons with corresponding results for inclusive J/$\psi$ show a similar suppression for the two states at forward rapidity (p-going direction), but a stronger suppression for $\psi$(2S) at backward rapidity (Pb-going direction). As a function of $p_{\rm T}$, no clear dependence of the nuclear modification factor is found. The relative size of nuclear effects on $\psi$(2S) production compared to J/$\psi$ is also studied via the double ratio of production cross sections $[\sigma_{\psi(2S)}/\sigma_{\rm{J/}\psi}]_{\rm pPb}/[\sigma_{\psi(2S)}/\sigma_{\rm{J/}\psi}]_{\rm pp}$ between p-Pb and pp collisions. The results are compared with theoretical models that include various effects related to the initial and final state of the collision system and also with previous measurements at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV.
Inclusive $\psi(2{\rm S})$ differential cross section times branching ratio as a function of $y_{\rm cms}$, in p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 8.16 TeV. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second is the uncorrelated systematic, while the third one is a correlated systematic uncertainty.
Inclusive $\psi(2{\rm S})$ differential cross section times branching ratio as a function of $p_{\rm T}$, at forward rapidity at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 8.16 TeV .The first uncertainty is statistical, the second is the uncorrelated systematic, while the third one is a correlated systematic uncertainty.
Inclusive $\psi(2{\rm S})$ differential cross section times branching ratio as a function of $p_{\rm T}$, at backward rapidity at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 8.16 TeV .The first uncertainty is statistical, the second is the uncorrelated systematic, while the third one is a correlated systematic uncertainty.
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