We have searched for strangelets in a triggered sample of 61 million central (top 4%) Au+Au collisions at $\sNN = 200 $GeV near beam rapidities at the STAR detector. We have sensitivity to metastable strangelets with lifetimes of order $\geq 0.1 ns$, in contrast to limits over ten times longer in AGS studies and longer still at the SPS. Upper limits of a few 10^{-6} to 10^{-7} per central Au+Au collision are set for strangelets with mass ${}^{>}_{\sim}30$ GeV/c^{2}.
Upper limit for neutral (Z=0) and charged (Z=5) strangelet as a function of mass.
Upper limit for charged (Z=1) strangelet as a function of lifetime.
The longitudinal spin transfer, $D_{LL}$, from high energy polarized protons to $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons has been measured for the first time in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 200 \mathrm{GeV}$ with the STAR detector at RHIC. The measurements cover pseudorapidity, $\eta$, in the range $|\eta| < 1.2$ and transverse momenta, $p_\mathrm{T}$, up to $4 \mathrm{GeV}/c$. The longitudinal spin transfer is found to be $D_{LL}= -0.03\pm 0.13(\mathrm{stat}) \pm 0.04(\mathrm{syst})$ for inclusive $\Lambda$ and $D_{LL} = -0.12 \pm 0.08(\mathrm{stat}) \pm 0.03(\mathrm{syst})$ for inclusive $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons with $<\eta> = 0.5$ and $<p_\mathrm{T}> = 3.7 \mathrm{GeV}/c$. The dependence on $\eta$ and $p_\mathrm{T}$ is presented.
The spin transfer $D_{LL}$ to (a) $\Lambda$ and (b) $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons produced at positive pseudorapidity with respect to the polarized proton beam from $MB$, $JP$, and $HT$ data versus hyperon transverse momenta $p_{T}$. The sizes of the statistical and systematic uncertainties are indicated by the vertical bars and bands, respectively. For clarity, the HT data points have been shifted slightly in $p_{T}$. The dotted vertical lines indicate the $p_{T}$ intervals in the analysis of HT and JP data.
The spin transfer $D_{LL}$ to (a) $\Lambda$ and (b) $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons produced at positive pseudorapidity with respect to the polarized proton beam from $MB$, $JP$, and $HT$ data versus hyperon transverse momenta $p_{T}$. The sizes of the statistical and systematic uncertainties are indicated by the vertical bars and bands, respectively. For clarity, the HT data points have been shifted slightly in $p_{T}$. The dotted vertical lines indicate the $p_{T}$ intervals in the analysis of HT and JP data.
The spin transfer $D_{LL}$ to (a) $\Lambda$ and (b) $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons produced at positive pseudorapidity with respect to the polarized proton beam from $MB$, $JP$, and $HT$ data versus hyperon transverse momenta $p_{T}$. The sizes of the statistical and systematic uncertainties are indicated by the vertical bars and bands, respectively. For clarity, the HT data points have been shifted slightly in $p_{T}$. The dotted vertical lines indicate the $p_{T}$ intervals in the analysis of HT and JP data.
The pseudorapidity asymmetry and centrality dependence of charged hadron spectra in d+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV are presented. The charged particle density at mid-rapidity, its pseudorapidity asymmetry and centrality dependence are reasonably reproduced by a Multi-Phase Transport model, by HIJING, and by the latest calculations in a saturation model. Ratios of transverse momentum spectra between backward and forward pseudorapidity are above unity for \pT below 5 GeV/$c$. The ratio of central to peripheral spectra in d+Au collisions shows enhancement at 2 $<$ \pT $<$ 6 GeV/$c$, with a larger effect at backward rapidity than forward rapidity. Our measurements are in qualitative agreement with gluon saturation and in contrast to calculations based on incoherent multiple partonic scatterings.
The p$_T$ spectra of charged hadrons for various centrality classes.
The pseudorapidity dependence of charged particle densities for various centrality classes.
The ratio of charged hadron spectra in the backward rapidity to forward rapidity region for minimum bias and ZDC-d neutron-tagged events.
We report on the first measurement of elliptic flow $v_2(p_T)$ of multi-strange baryons $\Xi+\bar{Xi}$ and $\Omega+\bar{Omega} in heavy-ion collisions. In minimum bias Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV, a significant amount of elliptic flow, comparable to other non-strange baryons, is observed for multi-strange baryons which are expected to be particularly sensitive to the dynamics of the partonic stage of heavy-ion collisions. The $p_T$ dependence of $v_2$ of the multi-strange baryons confirms the number of constituent quark scaling previously observed for lighter hadrons. These results support the idea that a substantial fraction of the observed collective motion is developed at the early partonic stage in ultra-relativistic nuclear collisions at RHIC.
$\Xi^{-} + \Xi^{+}$ invariant mass distribution from minimum bias (0–80%) Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV.
$\Omega^{-} + \Omega^{+}$ invariant mass distribution from minimum bias (0–80%) Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV.
Azimuthal distributions with respect to the event plane of the $\Xi^{-} + \Xi^{+}$ and $\Omega^{-} + \Omega^{+}$ raw yields.
We present the directed flow ($v_1$) measured in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}$ = 62.4 GeV in the mid-pseudorapidity region $|\eta|<1.3$ and in the forward pseudorapidity region $2.5 < |\eta| < 4.0$. The results are obtained using the three-particle cumulant method, the event plane method with mixed harmonics, and for the first time at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), the standard method with the event plane reconstructed from spectator neutrons. Results from all three methods are in good agreement. Over the pseudorapidity range studied, charged particle directed flow is in the direction opposite to that of fragmentation neutrons.
Directed flow of charged particles as a function of pseudorapidity, for centrality 10%-70%.
Directed flow of charged particles as a function of pseudorapidity, for centrality 10%-70%.
Directed flow of charged particles as a function of pseudorapidity, for centrality 10%-70%.
The system created in non-central relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions possesses large orbital angular momentum. Due to spin-orbit coupling, particles produced in such a system could become globally polarized along the direction of the system angular momentum. We present the results of Lambda and anti-Lambda hyperon global polarization measurements in Au+Au collisions at sqrt{s_NN}=62.4 GeV and 200 GeV performed with the STAR detector at RHIC. The observed global polarization of Lambda and anti-Lambda hyperons in the STAR acceptance is consistent with zero within the precision of the measurements. The obtained upper limit, |P_{Lambda,anti-Lambda}| <= 0.02, is compared to the theoretical values discussed recently in the literature.
(Color online) Invariant mass distribution for the $\Lambda$ (filled circles) and $\overline{\Lambda}$ (open squares) candidates after the quality cuts for Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$=62.4 GeV (centrality region 0-80%).
(Color online) Global polarization of $\Lambda$–hyperons as a function of $\Lambda$ transverse momentum $p^{\Lambda}_{t}$. Filled circles show the results for Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$=200 GeV (centrality region 20-70%) and open squares indicate the results for Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$=62.4 GeV (centrality region 0-80%). Only statistical uncertainties are shown.
(Color online) Global polarization of $\Lambda$–hyperons as a function of $\Lambda$ pseudorapidity $\eta^{\Lambda}$. Filled circles show the results for Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$=200 GeV (centrality region 20-70%). A constant line fit to these data points yields $P_{\Lambda}=(2.8\pm 9.6)\times 10^{-3}$ with $\chi^{2}/ndf=6.5/10$. Open squares show the results for Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$=62.4 GeV (centrality region 0-80%). A constant line fit gives $P_{\Lambda}=(1.9\pm 8.0)\times 10^{-3}$ with $\chi^{2}/ndf=14.3/10$. Only statistical uncertainties are shown.
Charged-particle spectra associated with direct photon ($\gamma_{dir} $) and $\pi^0$ are measured in $p$+$p$ and Au+Au collisions at center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV with the STAR detector at RHIC. A hower-shape analysis is used to partially discriminate between $\gamma_{dir}$ and $\pi^0$. Assuming no associated charged particles in the $\gamma_{dir}$ direction (near side) and small contribution from fragmentation photons ($\gamma_{frag}$), the associated charged-particle yields opposite to $\gamma_{dir}$ (away side) are extracted. At mid-rapidity ($|\eta|<0.9$) in central Au+Au collisions, charged-particle yields associated with $\gamma_{dir}$ and $\pi^0$ at high transverse momentum ($8< p_{T}^{trig}<16$ GeV/$c$) are suppressed by a factor of 3-5 compared with $p$ + $p$ collisions. The observed suppression of the associated charged particles, in the kinematic range $|\eta|<1$ and $3< p_{T}^{assoc} < 16$ GeV/$c$, is similar for $\gamma_{dir}$ and $\pi^0$, and independent of the $\gamma_{dir}$ energy within uncertainties. These measurements indicate that the parton energy loss, in the covered kinematic range, is insensitive to the parton path length.
The $z_{T}$ dependence of $\pi^{0}-h^{\pm}$ near side and away-side associated particle yields. The errors denoted 'syst' are systematic errors correlated in $z_{T}$. The errors denoted 'syst uncorr' are point-to-point systematic errors.
The $z_{T}$ dependence of away-side associated-particle yields for $\pi^{0}-h^{\pm}$ triggers and $\gamma_{dir}$ triggers. The errors denoted 'syst' are systematic errors correlated in $z_{T}$. The errors denoted 'syst uncorr' are point-to-point systematic errors.
The $z_{T}$ dependence $I_{AA}$ for $\pi^{0}-h^{\pm}$ triggers and $\gamma_{dir}$ triggers. The errors denoted 'syst' are systematic errors correlated in $z_{T}$. The errors denoted 'syst uncorr' are point-to-point systematic errors.
First measurements of charge-independent correlations on angular difference variables $\eta_1 - \eta_2$ (pseudorapidity) and $\phi_1 - \phi_2$ (azimuth) are presented for primary charged hadrons with transverse momentum $0.15 \leq p_t \leq 2$ GeV/$c$ and $|\eta| \leq 1.3$ from Au-Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 130$ GeV. Strong charge-independent angular correlations are observed associated with jet-like structures and elliptic flow. The width of the jet-like peak on $\eta_1 - \eta_2$ increases by a factor 2.3 from peripheral to central collisions, suggesting strong coupling of semi-hard scattered partons to a longitudinally-expanding medium. New methods of jet analysis introduced here provide evidence for nonperturbative QCD medium effects in heavy ion collisions.
Two-particle CI joint autocorrelations $\widehat{N}(\widehat{r}-1)$ on $(\eta_{\Delta}, \phi_{\Delta})$ for most-central collisions.
Two-particle CI joint autocorrelations $\widehat{N}(\widehat{r}-1)$ on $(\eta_{\Delta}, \phi_{\Delta})$ for mid-central collisions.
Two-particle CI joint autocorrelations $\widehat{N}(\widehat{r}-1)$ on $(\eta_{\Delta}, \phi_{\Delta})$ for mid-peripheral collisions.
We present the first measurements of charge-dependent correlations on angular difference variables $\eta_1 - \eta_2$ (pseudorapidity) and $\phi_1 - \phi_2$ (azimuth) for primary charged hadrons with transverse momentum $0.15 \leq p_t \leq 2$ GeV/$c$ and $|\eta| \leq 1.3$ from Au-Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 130$ GeV. We observe correlation structures not predicted by theory but consistent with evolution of hadron emission geometry with increasing centrality from one-dimensional fragmentation of color strings along the beam direction to an at least two-dimensional hadronization geometry along the beam and azimuth directions of a hadron-opaque bulk medium.
Normalized LS pair-number ratios $\widehat{r} [X(p_{t1}),X(p_{t2})]-1$ for collisions in centrality class (a) (most-central) in $(\eta_{1},\eta_{2})$.
Normalized LS pair-number ratios $\widehat{r} [X(p_{t1}),X(p_{t2})]-1$ for collisions in centrality class (a) (most-central) in $(\phi_{1},\phi_{2})$.
Two-particle CD joint autocorrelations $\widehat{N}(\widehat{r}-1)$ on $(\eta_{\Delta}, \phi_{\Delta})$ for most-central collisions.
We report the first measurement of the opening angle distribution between pairs of jets produced in high-energy collisions of transversely polarized protons. The measurement probes (Sivers) correlations between the transverse spin orientation of a proton and the transverse momentum directions of its partons. With both beams polarized, the wide pseudorapidity ($-1 \leq \eta \leq +2$) coverage for jets permits separation of Sivers functions for the valence and sea regions. The resulting asymmetries are all consistent with zero and considerably smaller than Sivers effects observed in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS). We discuss theoretical attempts to reconcile the new results with the sizable transverse spin effects seen in SIDIS and forward hadron production in pp collisions.
Measured and calculated asymmetries vs. di-jet pseudorapidity sum for $+\hat{z}$ (left) and $−\hat{z}$ (right) beams. (a,b): Fraction of the calculated di-jet cross section with a quark (gluon) from the $+\hat{z}$ $(−\hat{z})$ beam. (c,d): Unweighted asymmetries compared with pQCD calculations [20] (histograms) for two models of quark Sivers functions fitted to SIDIS results [8]. (e,f): Asymmetries for $|\sin\zeta|$-weighted yields, compared with calculations [20, 21] based on twist-3 quark-gluon correlations. Vertical (horizontal) bars on the data indicate statistical uncertainties (bin widths). The systematic error bands exclude a $\pm12\%$ beam polarization normalization uncertainty.
Measured and calculated asymmetries vs. di-jet pseudorapidity sum for $+\hat{z}$ (left) and $−\hat{z}$ (right) beams. (a,b): Fraction of the calculated di-jet cross section with a quark (gluon) from the $+\hat{z}$ $(−\hat{z})$ beam. (c,d): Unweighted asymmetries compared with pQCD calculations [20] (histograms) for two models of quark Sivers functions fitted to SIDIS results [8]. (e,f): Asymmetries for $|\sin\zeta|$-weighted yields, compared with calculations [20, 21] based on twist-3 quark-gluon correlations. Vertical (horizontal) bars on the data indicate statistical uncertainties (bin widths). The systematic error bands exclude a $\pm12\%$ beam polarization normalization uncertainty.
Measured and calculated asymmetries vs. di-jet pseudorapidity sum for $+\hat{z}$ (left) and $−\hat{z}$ (right) beams. (a,b): Fraction of the calculated di-jet cross section with a quark (gluon) from the $+\hat{z}$ $(−\hat{z})$ beam. (c,d): Unweighted asymmetries compared with pQCD calculations [20] (histograms) for two models of quark Sivers functions fitted to SIDIS results [8]. (e,f): Asymmetries for $|\sin\zeta|$-weighted yields, compared with calculations [20, 21] based on twist-3 quark-gluon correlations. Vertical (horizontal) bars on the data indicate statistical uncertainties (bin widths). The systematic error bands exclude a $\pm12\%$ beam polarization normalization uncertainty.
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