The first evidence of spin alignment of vector mesons ($K^{*0}$ and $\phi$) in heavy-ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is reported. The spin density matrix element $\rho_{00}$ is measured at midrapidity ($|y| <$ 0.5) in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy ($\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$) of 2.76 TeV with the ALICE detector. $\rho_{00}$ values are found to be less than 1/3 (1/3 implies no spin alignment) at low transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T} <$ 2 GeV/$c$) for $K^{*0}$ and $\phi$ at a level of 3$\sigma$ and 2$\sigma$, respectively. No significant spin alignment is observed for the $K^0_S$ meson (spin = 0) in Pb-Pb collisions and for the vector mesons in $pp$ collisions. The measured spin alignment is unexpectedly large but qualitatively consistent with the expectation from models which attribute it to a polarization of quarks in the presence of angular momentum in heavy-ion collisions and a subsequent hadronization by the process of recombination.
$cos\theta^{*}$ distribution of $\rm{K}^{*0}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson w.r.t. Event Plane in transverse momentum range 0.8-1.2 GeV/$c$ measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV.
$cos\theta^{*}$ distribution of $\phi$ meson w.r.t. Event Plane in transverse momentum range 0.5-0.7 GeV/$c$ measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV.
$cos\theta^{*}$ distribution of $\rm{K}^{*0}$ (average of particle and anti-particle) meson w.r.t. Production Plane in transverse momentum range 0.4-1.2 GeV/$c$ measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.76 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.
The measurement of the production of ${\rm f}_{0}(980)$ in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 5.02$ TeV is presented. This is the first reported measurement of inclusive ${\rm f}_{0}(980)$ yield at LHC energies. The production is measured at midrapidity, $|y| < 0.5$, in a wide transverse momentum range, $0 < p_{\rm T} < 16$ GeV/$c$, by reconstructing the resonance in the ${\rm f}_{0}(980) \rightarrow \pi^{+}\pi^{-}$ hadronic decay channel using the ALICE detector. The $p_{\rm T}$-differential yields are compared to those of pions, protons and $\phi$ mesons as well as to predictions from the HERWIG 7.2 QCD-inspired Monte Carlo event generator and calculations from a coalescence model that uses the AMPT model as an input. The ratio of the $p_{\rm T}$-integrated yield of ${\rm f}_{0}(980)$ relative to pions is compared to measurements in ${\rm e}^{+}{\rm e}^{-}$ and pp collisions at lower energies and predictions from statistical hadronisation models and HERWIG 7.2. A mild collision energy dependence of the ${\rm f}_{0}(980)$ to pion production is observed in pp collisions from SPS to LHC energies. All considered models underpredict the $p_{\rm T}$-integrated $2{\rm f}_{0}(980)/(\pi^{+}+\pi^{-})$ ratio. The prediction from the canonical statistical hadronisation model assuming a zero total strangeness content of ${\rm f}_{0}(980)$ is consistent with the data within 1.9$\sigma$ and is the closest to the data. The results provide an essential reference for future measurements of the particle yield and nuclear modification in p$-$Pb and Pb$-$Pb collisions, which have been proposed to be instrumental to probe the elusive nature and quark composition of the ${\rm f}_{0}(980)$ scalar meson.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential yields of $f_{0}(980)$ at midrapidity in the inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt(s)$ = 5.02 TeV. The uncertainty 'syst' indicates the total systematic uncertainty and 'stat' indicates the statistical uncertainty. The branching ratio correction amounts to BR = (46 $\pm$ 6)% [ Phys. Rev. Lett. 111 no. 6, (2013) 062001] assuming dominance of $\pi\pi$ and KK channel has been applied to the $p_{\rm T}$-differential yields of $f_{0}(980)$. The normalisation and branching ratio relative uncertainties on the yields are independent of $p_{\rm{T}}$ and amount to 2.5% and 13%, respectively and therefore not included in the $p_{\rm T}$-differential yields of $f_{0}(980)$.
$p_{\rm T}$-integrated yield of $f_{0}(980)$, dN/dy at midrapidity as a function of $\langle {\rm d}N_{\rm ch}/{\rm d}\eta \rangle$. The uncertainty 'syst' indicates the total systematic uncertainty on the measurement. The branching ratio correction amounts to BR = (46 $\pm$ 6)% [ Phys. Rev. Lett. 111 no. 6, (2013) 062001] assuming dominance of $\pi\pi$ and KK channel has been applied to the $p_{\rm T}$-differential yields of $f_{0}(980)$. Here, the branching ratio relative uncertainty (13%) for $f_{0}(980)$ is not included.
mean-$p_{\rm{T}}$ of $f_{0}(980)$, (<$p_{\rm{T}}$>) at midrapidity as a function of $\langle {\rm d}N_{\rm ch}/{\rm d}\eta \rangle$. The uncertainty 'syst' indicates the total systematic uncertainty on the measurement.
The production of $\mathrm{K}^{*}(\mathrm{892})^{0}$ and $\mathrm{\phi(1020)}$ resonances has been measured in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 8.16 TeV using the ALICE detector. Resonances are reconstructed via their hadronic decay channels in the rapidity interval $-$0.5 $<$$y$$<$ 0 and the transverse momentum spectra are measured for various multiplicity classes up to $p_{\rm T}$ = 20 GeV/$c$ for $\mathrm{K}^{*}(\mathrm{892})^{0}$ and $p_{\rm T}$ = 16 GeV/$c$ for $\mathrm{\phi(1020)}$. The $p_{\rm T}$ -integrated yields and mean transverse momenta are reported and compared with previous results in pp, p-Pb and Pb-Pb collisions. The $x_{\mathrm{T}}$ scaling for $\mathrm{K}^{*}(\mathrm{892})^{0}$ and $\mathrm{\phi(1020)}$ resonance production is newly tested in p-Pb collisions and found to hold in the high-$p_{\rm T}$ region at LHC energies. The nuclear modification factors ($R_{\rm pPb}$) as a function of $p_{\rm T}$ for $\mathrm{K}^{*0}$ and $\mathrm{\phi}$ at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 8.16 TeV are presented along with the new $R_{\rm pPb}$ measurements of $\mathrm{K}^{*0}$, $\mathrm{\phi}$ , $\Xi$, and $\Omega$ at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV. At intermediate $p_{\rm T}$ (2-8 GeV/$c$), $R_{\rm pPb}$ of $\Xi$, $\Omega$ show a Cronin-like enhancement, while $\mathrm{K}^{*0}$ and $\mathrm{\phi}$ show no or little nuclear modification. At high $p_{\rm T}$ ($>$ 8 GeV/$c$), the $R_{\rm pPb}$ values of all hadrons are consistent with unity within uncertainties. The $R_{\rm pPb}$ of $\mathrm{K}^{*}(\mathrm{892})^{0}$ and $\mathrm{\phi(1020)}$ at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 8.16 and 5.02 TeV show no significant energy dependence.
$p_{\mathrm T}$-differential yield of $\frac{\mathrm{K^{*0}} + \overline{\mathrm{K^{*0}}}}{2}$ in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}~=~$8.16 TeV (NSD).
$p_{\mathrm T}$-differential yield of $\frac{\mathrm{K^{*0}} + \overline{\mathrm{K^{*0}}}}{2}$ in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}~=~$8.16 TeV (Multiplicity class 0-5%).
$p_{\mathrm T}$-differential yield of $\frac{\mathrm{K^{*0}} + \overline{\mathrm{K^{*0}}}}{2}$ in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}~=~$8.16 TeV (Multiplicity class 5-10%).
The measurement of the production of charm jets, identified by the presence of a ${\rm D^0}$ meson in the jet constituents, is presented in proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 and 13 TeV with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. The ${\rm D^0}$ mesons were reconstructed from their hadronic decay ${\rm D^0} \rightarrow {\rm K^-}\pi^+$ and the respective charge conjugate. Jets were reconstructed from ${\rm D^0}$-meson candidates and charged particles using the anti-$k_{\rm T}$ algorithm, in the jet transverse momentum range $5<p_{\rm T;chjet}<50$ GeV/$c$, pseudorapidity $|\eta_{\rm jet}| <0.9-R$, and with the jet resolution parameters $R$ = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6. The distribution of the jet momentum fraction carried by a ${\rm D^0}$ meson along the jet axis ($z^{\rm ch}_{||}$) was measured in the range $0.4 < z^{\rm ch}_{||} < 1.0$ in four ranges of the jet transverse momentum. Comparisons of results for different collision energies and jet resolution parameters are also presented. The measurements are compared to predictions from Monte Carlo event generators based on leading-order and next-to-leading-order perturbative quantum chromodynamics calculations. A generally good description of the main features of the data is obtained in spite of a few discrepancies at low $p_{\rm T;chjet}$. Measurements were also done for $R = 0.3$ at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV and are shown along with their comparisons to theoretical predictions in an appendix to this paper.
$p_{\mathrm{T,ch\ jet}}$-differential cross section of charm jets tagged with $\mathrm{D^{0}}$ mesons for $R=0.2$, $0.4$, and $0.6$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV.
$p_{\mathrm{T,ch\ jet}}$-differential cross section of charm jets tagged with $\mathrm{D^{0}}$ mesons for $R=0.2$, $0.4$, and $0.6$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=5.02$ TeV.
Ratio of $p_{\mathrm{T,ch\ jet}}$-differential cross section of charm jets tagged with $\mathrm{D^{0}}$ mesons in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV to $\sqrt{s}=5.02$ TeV for $R=0.2$, $0.4$, and $0.6$.
The transverse-momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) spectra of ${\rm K}^*(892)^0$ and $\phi(1020)$ measured with the ALICE detector up to $p_{\rm T}$ = 16 GeV/$c$ in the rapidity range $-1.2 < y < 0.3$, in p-Pb collisions at the center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collision $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV are presented as a function of charged particle multiplicity and rapidity. The measured $p_{\rm T}$ distributions show a dependence on both multiplicity and rapidity at low $p_{\rm T}$ whereas no significant dependence is observed at high $p_{\rm T}$. A rapidity dependence is observed in the $p_{\rm T}$-integrated yield (d$N$/d$y$), whereas the mean transverse momentum ($\left< p_{\rm T} \right>$) shows a flat behavior as a function of rapidity. The rapidity asymmetry ($Y_{\rm asym}$) at low $p_{\rm T}$ ( < 5 GeV/$c$) is more significant for higher multiplicity classes. At high $p_{\rm T}$, no significant rapidity asymmetry is observed in any of the multiplicity classes. Both ${\rm K}^*(892)^0$ and $\phi(1020)$ show similar $Y_{\rm asym}$. The nuclear modification factor ($Q_{\rm CP}$) as a function of $p_{\rm T}$ shows a Cronin-like enhancement at intermediate $p_{\rm T}$, which is more prominent at higher rapidities (Pb-going direction) and in higher multiplicity classes. At high $p_{\rm T}$ (> 5 GeV/$c$), the $Q_{\rm CP}$ values are greater than unity and no significant rapidity dependence is observed.
$p_{\mathrm T}$-differential yield of $\frac{\mathrm{K^{*0}} + \overline{\mathrm{K^{*0}}}}{2}$ in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}~=~$5.02 TeV ($0.0 < y < 0.3$).
$p_{\mathrm T}$-differential yield of $\frac{\mathrm{K^{*0}} + \overline{\mathrm{K^{*0}}}}{2}$ in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}~=~$5.02 TeV ($-0.3 < y < 0.0$).
$p_{\mathrm T}$-differential yield of $\frac{\mathrm{K^{*0}} + \overline{\mathrm{K^{*0}}}}{2}$ in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}~=~$5.02 TeV ($-0.6 < y < -0.3$).
The production of the $\Lambda$(1520) baryonic resonance has been measured at midrapidity in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV and in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV for non-single diffractive events and in multiplicity classes. The resonance is reconstructed through its hadronic decay channel $\Lambda$(1520) $\rightarrow$ pK$^{-}$ and the charge conjugate with the ALICE detector. The integrated yields and mean transverse momenta are calculated from the measured transverse momentum distributions in pp and p-Pb collisions. The mean transverse momenta follow mass ordering as previously observed for other hyperons in the same collision systems. A Blast-Wave function constrained by other light hadrons ($\pi$, K, K$_{\rm{S}}^0$, p, $\Lambda$) describes the shape of the $\Lambda$(1520) transverse momentum distribution up to 3.5 GeV/$c$ in p-Pb collisions. In the framework of this model, this observation suggests that the $\Lambda(1520)$ resonance participates in the same collective radial flow as other light hadrons. The ratio of the yield of $\Lambda(1520)$ to the yield of the ground state particle $\Lambda$ remains constant as a function of charged-particle multiplicity, suggesting that there is no net effect of the hadronic phase in p-Pb collisions on the $\Lambda$(1520) yield.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential yields of $\Lambda$(1520) (sum of particle and anti-particle states) at midrapidity in inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ $\mathrm{=}$ 7 TeV.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential yields of $\Lambda$(1520) (sum of particle and anti-particle states) in NSD p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ $\mathrm{=}$ 5.02 TeV. The uncertainty 'sys,$p_{\rm T}$-correlated' indicates the systematic uncertainty after removing the contributions of $p_{\rm T}$-uncorrelated uncertainty.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential yields of $\Lambda$(1520) (sum of particle and anti-particle states) in p--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ $\mathrm{=}$ 5.02 TeV in multiplicity interval 0--20\%. The uncertainty 'sys,$p_{\rm T}$-correlated' indicates the systematic uncertainty after removing the contributions of $p_{\rm T}$-uncorrelated uncertainty.
The production of $\Upsilon$ mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5 TeV is measured with the muon spectrometer of the ALICE detector at the LHC. The yields as well as the nuclear modification factors are determined in the forward rapidity region $2.5<y<4.0$, as a function of rapidity, transverse momentum and collision centrality. The results show that the production of the $\Upsilon$(1S) meson is suppressed by a factor of about three with respect to the production in proton-proton collisions. For the first time, a significant signal for the $\Upsilon$(2S) meson is observed at forward rapidity, indicating a suppression stronger by about a factor 2-3 with respect to the ground state. The measurements are compared with transport, hydrodynamic, comover and statistical hadronisation model calculations.
Rapidity-differential yield of $\Upsilon(1\mathrm{S}) \rightarrow \mu^{+}\mu^{-}$ divided by the average nuclear overlap function $\langle T_{\mathrm{AA}} \rangle$ for the 0–90% centrality interval ($\langle T_{\mathrm{AA}} \rangle$ = 6.28 $\pm$ 0.06 mb$^{-1}$).
Rapidity-differential yield of $\Upsilon(2\mathrm{S}) \rightarrow \mu^{+}\mu^{-}$ divided by the average nuclear overlap function $\langle T_{\mathrm{AA}} \rangle$ for the 0–90% centrality interval ($\langle T_{\mathrm{AA}} \rangle$ = 6.28 $\pm$ 0.06 mb$^{-1}$).
$p_{\mathrm{T}}$-differential yield of $\Upsilon(1\mathrm{S}) \rightarrow \mu^{+}\mu^{-}$ divided by the average nuclear overlap function $\langle T_{\mathrm{AA}} \rangle$ for the 0–90% centrality interval ($\langle T_{\mathrm{AA}} \rangle$ = 6.28 $\pm$ 0.06 mb$^{-1}$).
The first measurement of the production of pions, kaons, (anti-)protons and $\phi$ mesons at midrapidity in Xe-Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.44$ TeV is presented. Transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) spectra and $p_{\rm T}$-integrated yields are extracted in several centrality intervals bridging from p-Pb to mid-central Pb-Pb collisions in terms of final-state multiplicity. The study of Xe-Xe and Pb-Pb collisions allows systems at similar charged-particle multiplicities but with different initial geometrical eccentricities to be investigated. A detailed comparison of the spectral shapes in the two systems reveals an opposite behaviour for radial and elliptic flow. In particular, this study shows that the radial flow does not depend on the colliding system when compared at similar charged-particle multiplicity. In terms of hadron chemistry, the previously observed smooth evolution of particle ratios with multiplicity from small to large collision systems is also found to hold in Xe-Xe. In addition, our results confirm that two remarkable features of particle production at LHC energies are also valid in the collision of medium-sized nuclei: the lower proton-to-pion ratio with respect to the thermal model expectations and the increase of the $\phi$-to-pion ratio with increasing final-state multiplicity.
$p_{T}$-distributions of pions ($\pi^{+}+\pi^{-}$) measured in Xe-Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.44 TeV. Centrality class 0-5%.
$p_{T}$-distributions of kaons ($K^{+}+K^{-}$) measured in Xe-Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.44 TeV. Centrality class 0-5%.
$p_{T}$-distributions of protons ($p+pbar$) measured in Xe-Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.44 TeV. Centrality class 0-5%.
Mid-rapidity production of $\pi^{\pm}$, $\rm{K}^{\pm}$ and ($\bar{\rm{p}}$)p measured by the ALICE experiment at the LHC, in Pb-Pb and inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV, is presented. The invariant yields are measured over a wide transverse momentum ($p_{\rm{T}}$) range from hundreds of MeV/$c$ up to 20 GeV/$c$. The results in Pb-Pb collisions are presented as a function of the collision centrality, in the range 0$-$90%. The comparison of the $p_{\rm{T}}$-integrated particle ratios, i.e. proton-to-pion (p/$\pi$) and kaon-to-pion (K/$\pi$) ratios, with similar measurements in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV show no significant energy dependence. Blast-wave fits of the $p_{\rm{T}}$ spectra indicate that in the most central collisions radial flow is slightly larger at 5.02 TeV with respect to 2.76 TeV. Particle ratios (p/$\pi$, K/$\pi$) as a function of $p_{\rm{T}}$ show pronounced maxima at $p_{\rm{T}}$ $\approx$ 3 GeV/$c$ in central Pb-Pb collisions. At high $p_{\rm{T}}$, particle ratios at 5.02 TeV are similar to those measured in pp collisions at the same energy and in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV. Using the pp reference spectra measured at the same collision energy of 5.02 TeV, the nuclear modification factors for the different particle species are derived. Within uncertainties, the nuclear modification factor is particle species independent for high $p_{\rm{T}}$ and compatible with measurements at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV. The results are compared to state-of-the-art model calculations, which are found to describe the observed trends satisfactorily.
$p_{T}$-distributions of pions ($\pi^{+}+\pi^{-}$) measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV.
$p_{T}$-distributions of pions ($\pi^{+}+\pi^{-}$) measured in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV.
$p_{T}$-distributions of kaons ($K^{+}+K^{-}$) measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV.
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