The STAR collaboration at RHIC reports measurements of the inclusive yield of non-photonic electrons, which arise dominantly from semi-leptonic decays of heavy flavor mesons, over a broad range of transverse momenta ($1.2 < \pt < 10$ \gevc) in \pp, \dAu, and \AuAu collisions at \sqrtsNN = 200 GeV. The non-photonic electron yield exhibits unexpectedly large suppression in central \AuAu collisions at high \pt, suggesting substantial heavy quark energy loss at RHIC. The centrality and \pt dependences of the suppression provide constraints on theoretical models of suppression.
Non photonic electron yield in P+P collisions versus PT To obtain a differential cross-section in mb/(GeV2), multiply listed data by 30 Note that, in addition to the statistical and systematical errors, there is a normalization error on the value, given in the second column.
Non photonic electron yield in P+P collisions versus $p_{T}$. To obtain a differential cross-section in mb/(GeV$^2$), multiply listed data by 30.
Non photonic electron yield in minimum bias D+AU collisions versus PT To obtain a differential cross-section in mb/(GeV2), multiply listed data by 30 Note that, in addition to the statistical and systematical errors, there is a normalization error on the value, given in the second column.
The PHENIX experiment has measured mid-rapidity transverse momentum spectra (0.4 < p_T < 5.0 GeV/c) of electrons as a function of centrality in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV. Contributions from photon conversions and from light hadron decays, mainly Dalitz decays of pi^0 and eta mesons, were removed. The resulting non-photonic electron spectra are primarily due to the semi-leptonic decays of hadrons carrying heavy quarks. Nuclear modification factors were determined by comparison to non-photonic electrons in p+p collisions. A significant suppression of electrons at high p_T is observed in central Au+Au collisions, indicating substantial energy loss of heavy quarks.
Inclusive and non photonic electrons invariant yield versus PT, for minimum bias reactions.
Non photonic electrons invariant yield versus PT for different ranges of centrality.
Nuclear modification factor as a function of PT, for 0-10% central reactions Note that the systematic error given is related to the the uncertainties in the p+p measurements.An additional systematic error, symmetrical on the + and - side, related to the uncertainties in the Au+Au measurement, is given in the second column. Another, PT-independant, 13%systematic error due to the uncertainty on the overlap function and the Pi0 yield normalization is to add.
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