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Institute
Partons traversing the strongly interacting medium produced in heavy-ion collisions are expected to lose energy depending on their color charge and mass. We measure the nuclear modification factors for charm- and bottom-decay electrons, defined as the ratio of yields, scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions, in sNN−−−√ = 200 GeV Au+Au collisions to p+p collisions (RAA), or in central to peripheral Au+Au collisions (RCP). We find the bottom-decay electron RAA and RCP to be significantly higher than that of charm-decay electrons. Model calculations including mass-dependent parton energy loss in a strongly coupled medium are consistent with the measured data. These observations provide clear evidence of mass ordering of charm and bottom quark energy loss when traversing through the strongly coupled medium created in heavy-ion collisions.
Partons traversing the strongly interacting medium produced in heavy-ion collisions are expected to lose energy depending on their color charge and mass. We measure the nuclear modification factors for charm- and bottom-decay electrons, defined as the ratio of yields, scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions, in sNN−−−√ = 200 GeV Au+Au collisions to p+p collisions (RAA), or in central to peripheral Au+Au collisions (RCP). We find the bottom-decay electron RAA and RCP to be significantly higher than that of charm-decay electrons. Model calculations including mass-dependent parton energy loss in a strongly coupled medium are consistent with the measured data. These observations provide clear evidence of mass ordering of charm and bottom quark energy loss when traversing through the strongly coupled medium created in heavy-ion collisions.
Elliptic flow of heavy-flavor decay electrons in Au+Au collisions at √sNN = 27 and 54.4 GeV at RHIC
(2023)
We report on new measurements of elliptic flow (v2) of electrons from heavy-flavor hadron decays at mid-rapidity (|y|<0.8) in Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−√ = 27 and 54.4 GeV from the STAR experiment. Heavy-flavor decay electrons (eHF) in Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−√ = 54.4 GeV exhibit a non-zero v2 in the transverse momentum (pT) region of pT< 2 GeV/c with the magnitude comparable to that at sNN−−−√=200 GeV. The measured eHF v2 at 54.4 GeV is also consistent with the expectation of their parent charm hadron v2 following number-of-constituent-quark scaling as other light and strange flavor hadrons at this energy. These suggest that charm quarks gain significant collectivity through the evolution of the QCD medium and may reach local thermal equilibrium in Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−√=54.4 GeV. The measured eHF v2 in Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−√= 27 GeV is consistent with zero within large uncertainties. The energy dependence of v2 for different flavor particles (π,ϕ,D0/eHF) shows an indication of quark mass hierarchy in reaching thermalization in high-energy nuclear collisions.
In relativistic heavy-ion collisions, a global spin polarization, PH, of Λ and Λ¯ hyperons along the direction of the system angular momentum was discovered and measured across a broad range of collision energies and demonstrated a trend of increasing PH with decreasing sNN−−−√. A splitting between Λ and Λ¯ polarization may be possible due to their different magnetic moments in a late-stage magnetic field sustained by the quark-gluon plasma which is formed in the collision. The results presented in this study find no significant splitting at the collision energies of sNN−−−√=19.6 and 27 GeV in the RHIC Beam Energy Scan Phase II using the STAR detector, with an upper limit of PΛ¯−PΛ<0.24% and PΛ¯−PΛ<0.35%, respectively, at a 95% confidence level. We derive an upper limit on the naïve extraction of the late-stage magnetic field of B<9.4⋅1012 T and B<1.4⋅1013 T at sNN−−−√=19.6 and 27 GeV, respectively, although more thorough derivations are needed. Differential measurements of PH were performed with respect to collision centrality, transverse momentum, and rapidity. With our current acceptance of |y|<1 and uncertainties, we observe no dependence on transverse momentum and rapidity in this analysis. These results challenge multiple existing model calculations following a variety of different assumptions which have each predicted a strong dependence on rapidity in this collision-energy range.
A decisive experimental test of the Chiral Magnetic Effect (CME) is considered one of the major scientific goals at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC) towards understanding the nontrivial topological fluctuations of the Quantum Chromodynamics vacuum. In heavy-ion collisions, the CME is expected to result in a charge separation phenomenon across the reaction plane, whose strength could be strongly energy dependent. The previous CME searches have been focused on top RHIC energy collisions. In this Letter, we present a low energy search for the CME in Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−√=27 GeV. We measure elliptic flow scaled charge-dependent correlators relative to the event planes that are defined at both mid-rapidity |η|<1.0 and at forward rapidity 2.1<|η|<5.1. We compare the results based on the directed flow plane (Ψ1) at forward rapidity and the elliptic flow plane (Ψ2) at both central and forward rapidity. The CME scenario is expected to result in a larger correlation relative to Ψ1 than to Ψ2, while a flow driven background scenario would lead to a consistent result for both event planes. In 10-50\% centrality, results using three different event planes are found to be consistent within experimental uncertainties, suggesting a flow driven background scenario dominating the measurement. We obtain an upper limit on the deviation from a flow driven background scenario at the 95\% confidence level. This work opens up a possible road map towards future CME search with the high statistics data from the RHIC Beam Energy Scan Phase-II.
We report the beam energy and collision centrality dependence of fifth and sixth order cumulants (C5, C6) and factorial cumulants (κ5, κ6) of net-proton and proton distributions, from sNN−−−−√=3−200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. The net-proton cumulant ratios generally follow the hierarchy expected from QCD thermodynamics, except for the case of collisions at sNN−−−−√ = 3 GeV. C6/C2 for 0-40\% centrality collisions is increasingly negative with decreasing sNN−−−−√, while it is positive for the lowest sNN−−−−√ studied. These observed negative signs are consistent with QCD calculations (at baryon chemical potential, μB≤ 110 MeV) that include a crossover quark-hadron transition. In addition, for sNN−−−−√≥ 11.5 GeV, the measured proton κn, within uncertainties, does not support the two-component shape of proton distributions that would be expected from a first-order phase transition. Taken in combination, the hyper-order proton number fluctuations suggest that the structure of QCD matter at high baryon density, μB∼750 MeV (sNN−−−−√ = 3 GeV) is starkly different from those at vanishing μB∼20MeV (sNN−−−−√ = 200 GeV and higher).
We report on measurements of sequential Υ suppression in Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−√ = 200 GeV with the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) through both the dielectron and dimuon decay channels. In the 0-60% centrality class, the nuclear modification factors (RAA), which quantify the level of yield suppression in heavy-ion collisions compared to p+p collisions, for Υ(1S) and Υ(2S) are 0.40±0.03 (stat.)±0.03 (sys.)±0.09 (norm.) and 0.26±0.08 (stat.)±0.02 (sys.)±0.06 (norm.), respectively, while the upper limit of the Υ(3S) RAA is 0.17 at a 95% confidence level. This provides experimental evidence that the Υ(3S) is significantly more suppressed than the Υ(1S) at RHIC. The level of suppression for Υ(1S) is comparable to that observed at the much higher collision energy at the Large Hadron Collider. These results point to the creation of a medium at RHIC whose temperature is sufficiently high to strongly suppress excited Υ states.
J/ψ suppression has long been considered a sensitive signature of the formation of the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. In this letter, we present the first measurement of inclusive J/ψ production at mid-rapidity through the dimuon decay channel in Au+Au collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV with the STAR experiment. These measurements became possible after the installation of the Muon Telescope Detector was completed in 2014. The J/ψ yields are measured in a wide transverse momentum (pT) range of 0.15 GeV/c to 12 GeV/c from central to peripheral collisions. They extend the kinematic reach of previous measurements at RHIC with improved precision. In the 0-10% most central collisions, the J/ψ yield is suppressed by a factor of approximately 3 for pT > 5 GeV/c relative to that in p + p collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions. The J/ψ nuclear modification factor displays little dependence on pT in all centrality bins. Model calculations can qualitatively describe the data, providing further evidence for the color-screening effect experienced by J/ψ mesons in the QGP.
Improved measurement of the branching fraction of h_(c) → γη^(′)/η and search for h_(c) → γπ⁰
(2024)
The processes hc→γP(P=η′, η, π0)) are studied with a sample of (27.12±0.14)×108 ψ(3686) events collected by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The branching fractions of hc→γη′ and hc→γη are measured to be (1.40±0.11±0.04±0.10)×10−3 and (3.77±0.55±0.13±0.26)×10−4, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical, the second systematic, and the third from the branching fraction of ψ(3686)→π0hc. The ratio Rhc=B(hc→γη)B(hc→γη′) is calculated to be (27.0±4.4±1.0)%. The measurements are consistent with the previous results with improved precision by a factor of 2. The results are valuable for gaining a deeper understanding of η−η′ mixing, and its manifestation within quantum chromodynamics. No significant signal is found for the decay hc→γπ0, and an upper limit is placed on its branching fraction of B(hc→γπ0)<5.0×10−5, at the 90\% confidence level.
Using data samples collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring, the cross section of the inclusive process e+e−→η+X, normalized by the total cross section of e+e−→hadrons, is measured at eight center-of-mass energy points from 2.0000 GeV to 3.6710 GeV. These are the first measurements with momentum dependence in this energy region. Our measurement shows a significant discrepancy from calculations with the existing fragmentation functions. To address this discrepancy, a new QCD analysis is performed at the next-to-next-to-leading order with hadron mass corrections and higher twist effects, which can explain both the established high-energy data and our measurements reasonably well.
Using data samples with an integrated luminosity of 4.67 fb−1 collected by the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider, we search for the process e+e−→η′ψ(2S) at center-of-mass energies from 4.66 to 4.95 GeV. No significant signal is observed, and upper limits for the Born cross sections σB(e+e−→η′ψ(2S)) at the 90\% confidence level are determined.
Six C-even states, denoted as X, with quantum numbers JPC=0−+, 1±+, or 2±+, are searched for via the e+e−→γD±sD∗∓s process using (1667.39±8.84) pb−1 of e+e− collision data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring at center-of-mass energy of s√=(4681.92±0.30) MeV. No statistically significant signal is observed in the mass range from 4.08 to 4.32 GeV/c2. The upper limits of σ[e+e−→γX]⋅B[X→D±sD∗∓s] at a 90% confidence level are determined.
Observation of χcJ → 3(K⁺K⁻)
(2023)
By analyzing (27.12±0.14)×108 ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider, the decay processes χcJ→3(K+K−) (J=0,1,2) are observed for the first time with statistical significances of 8.2σ, 8.1σ, and 12.4σ, respectively. The product branching fractions of ψ(3686)→γχcJ, χcJ→3(K+K−) are presented and the branching fractions of χcJ→3(K+K−) decays are determined to be Bχc0→3(K+K−)=(10.7±1.8±1.1)×10−6, Bχc1→3(K+K−)=(4.2±0.9±0.5)×10−6, and Bχc2→3(K+K−)=(7.2±1.1±0.8)×10−6, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.
Using 9.0 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies from 4.178 to 4.278 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we perform the first search for the radiative transition χc1(3872)→γψ2(3823). No χc1(3872)→γψ2(3823) signal is observed. The upper limit on the ratio of branching fractions B(χc1(3872)→γψ2(3823),ψ2(3823)→γχc1)/B(χc1(3872)→π+π−J/ψ) is set as 0.075 at the 90\% confidence level. Our result contradicts theoretical predictions under the assumption that the χc1(3872) is the pure charmonium state χc1(2P).
Observation of χcJ → 3(K⁺K⁻)
(2024)
By analyzing (27.12±0.14)×108 𝜓(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider, the decay processes 𝜒𝑐𝐽→3(𝐾+𝐾−) (𝐽=0, 1, 2) are observed for the first time with statistical significances of 8.2𝜎, 8.1𝜎, and 12.4𝜎, respectively. The product branching fractions of 𝜓(3686)→𝛾𝜒𝑐𝐽, 𝜒𝑐𝐽→3(𝐾+𝐾−) are presented and the branching fractions of 𝜒𝑐𝐽→3(𝐾+𝐾−) decays are determined to be ℬ𝜒𝑐0→3(𝐾+𝐾−)=(10.7±1.8±1.1)×10−6, ℬ𝜒𝑐1→3(𝐾+𝐾−)=(4.2±0.9±0.5)×10−6, and ℬ𝜒𝑐2→3(𝐾+𝐾−)=(7.2±1.1±0.8)×10−6, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.
We measure the Born cross section for the reaction e+e−→ηhc from s√=4.129 to 4.600~GeV using data sets collected by the BESIII detector running at the BEPCII collider. A resonant structure in the cross section line shape near 4.200~GeV is observed with a statistical significance of 7σ. The parameters of this resonance are measured to be \MeasMass\ and \MeasWidth, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic.
We present cross sections for the reaction e+e−→K0SK0L at center-of-mass energies ranging from 3.51 GeV to 4.95 GeV using data samples collected in the BESIII experiment, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 26.5 fb−1. The ratio of neutral-to-charged kaon form factors at large momentum transfers (12 GeV2<Q2<25 GeV2) is determined to be 0.21±0.01, which indicates a small but significant effect of flavor-SU(3) breaking in the kaon wave function, and consequently excludes the possibility that flavor-SU(3) breaking is the primary reason for the strong experimental violation of the pQCD prediction |F(π±)|/|F(K±)|=f2π/f2K, where F(π±) and F(K±) are the form factors, and fπ and fK are the decay constants of charged pions and kaons, respectively. We also observe a significant signal for the charmless decay ψ(3770)→K0SK0L for the first time. Within a 1σ contour of the likelihood value, the the branching fraction for ψ(3770)→K0SK0L is determined to be B=(2.63+1.40−1.59)×10−5, and the relative phase between the continuum and ψ(3770) amplitudes is ϕ=(−0.39+0.05−0.10)π. The branching fraction is in good agreement with the S- and D-wave charmonia mixing scheme proposed in the interpretation of the "ρπ puzzle" between J/ψ and ψ(3686) decays.
A light scalar X0 or vector X1 particles have been introduced as a possible explanation for the (g−2)μ anomaly and dark matter phenomena.
Using (8.998±0.039)×109 $\jpsi$ events collected by the BESIII detector, we search for a light muon philic scalar X0 or vector X1 in the processes J/ψ→μ+μ−X0,1 with X0,1 invisible decays. No obvious signal is found, and the upper limits on the coupling g′0,1 between the muon and the X0,1 particles are set to be between 1.1×10−3 and 1.0×10−2 for the X0,1 mass in the range of 1<M(X0,1)<1000~MeV/c2 at 90% confidence level.
Using e+e− annihilation data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93 fb−1 taken at the center-of-mass energy s√=3.773~GeV with the BESIII detector, a joint amplitude analysis is performed on the decays D0→π+π−π+π− and D0→π+π−π0π0(non-η). The fit fractions of individual components are obtained, and large interferences among the dominant components of D0→a1(1260)π, D0→π(1300)π, D0→ρ(770)ρ(770) and D0→2(ππ)S are found in both channels. With the obtained amplitude model, the CP-even fractions of D0→π+π−π+π− and D0→π+π−π0π0(non-η) are determined to be (75.2±1.1stat.±1.5syst.)% and (68.9±1.5stat.±2.4syst.)%, respectively. The branching fractions of D0→π+π−π+π− and D0→π+π−π0π0(non-η) are measured to be (0.688±0.010stat.±0.010syst.)% and (0.951±0.025stat.±0.021syst.)%, respectively. The amplitude analysis provides an important model for binning strategy in the measurements of the strong phase parameters of D0→4π when used to determine the CKM angle γ(ϕ3) via the B−→DK− decay.