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We study the direct production of the JPC=1++ charmonium state χc1(1P) in electron-positron annihilation by carrying out an energy scan around the mass of the χc1(1P). The data were collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. An interference pattern between the signal process e+e−→χc1(1P)→γJ/ψ→γμ+μ− and the background processes e+e−→γISRJ/ψ→γISRμ+μ− and e+e−→γISRμ+μ− are observed by combining all the data samples. The χc1(1P) signal is observed with a significance of 5.1σ. This is the first observation of a C-even state directly produced in e+e− annihilation. The electronic width of the χc1(1P) resonance is determined to be Γee=(0.12+0.13−0.08) eV, which is of the same order of magnitude as theoretical calculations.
We report the first measurements of the absolute branching fractions of D0 → K0 Lϕ, D0 → K0Lη, D0 → K0Lω, and D0 → K0Lη0, by analyzing 2.93 fb−1 of eþe− collision data taken at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector. Taking the world averages of the branching fractions of D0 → K0Sϕ, D0 → K0Sη, D0 → K0Sω, and D0 → K0Sη0, the K0S − K0L asymmetries RðD0; XÞ in these decay modes are obtained. The CP asymmetries in these decays are also determined. No significant CP violation is observed
Based on electron-positron collision data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider II storage rings, the value of R≡σ(e+e−→hadrons)/σ(e+e−→μ+μ−) is measured at 14 center-of-mass energies from 2.2324 to 3.6710 GeV. The resulting uncertainties are less than 3.0%, and are dominated by systematic uncertainties.
Using 6.32~fb−1 of e+e− collision data recorded by the BESIII detector at center-of-mass energies between 4.178 to 4.226 GeV, we present the first measurement of the decay D+s→f0(980)e+νe,f0(980)→π0π0. The product branching fraction of D+s→f0(980)e+νe,f0(980)→π0π0 is measured to be (7.9±1.4stat±0.3syst)×10−4, with a statistical significance of 7.8σ. Furthermore, the upper limits on the product branching fractions of D+s→f0(500)e+νe with f0(500)→π0π0 and the branching fraction of D+s→K0SK0Se+νe are set to be 7.3×10−4 and 3.8×10−4 at 90\% confidence level, respectively. Our results provide valuable inputs to the understanding of the structures of light scalar mesons.
The Born cross section of the process e+e−→ηJ/ψ at a center-of-mass energy s√=3.773 GeV is measured to be (8.89±0.88±0.42) pb, using a data sample collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring. The decay ψ(3770)→ηJ/ψ is observed for the first time with a statistical significance of 7.4σ. From a fit to the dressed cross-section line-shape of e+e−→ηJ/ψ from s√=3.773 to 4.600 GeV we obtain the branching fraction of the decay ψ(3770)→ηJ/ψ to be (11.6±6.1±1.0)×10−4 when the ψ(3770) decay amplitude is added coherently to the other contributions, and (7.9±1.0±0.7)×10−4 when it is added incoherently. Here the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.
Using 448 million ψ(2S) events, the spin-singlet P-wave charmonium state hc(11P1) is studied via the ψ(2S)→π0hc decay followed by the hc→γηc transition. The branching fractions are measured to be BInc(ψ(2S)→π0hc)×BTag(hc→γηc)=(4.17+0.27−0.25±0.19)×10−4 , BInc(ψ(2S)→π0hc)=(7.23±0.33±0.38)×10−4, and BTag(hc→γηc)=(57.66+3.62−3.50±0.58)%, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The hc(11P1) mass and width are determined to be M=(3525.32±0.06±0.15) MeV/c2 and Γ=(0.78+0.27−0.24±0.12) MeV. Using the center of gravity mass of the three χcJ(13PJ) mesons (M(c.o.g.)), the 1P hyperfine mass splitting is estimated to be Δhyp=M(hc)−M(c.o.g.)=(0.03±0.06±0.15) MeV/c2, which is consistent with the expectation that the 1P hyperfine splitting is zero at the lowest-order.
Using inclusive decays of the J/ψ, a precise determination of the number of J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector is performed. For the two data sets taken in 2009 and 2012, the numbers of J/ψ events are recalculated to be (224.0±1.3)×106 and (1088.5±4.4)×106 respectively, which are in good agreement with the previous measurements. For the J/ψ sample taken in 2017--2019, the number of events is determined to be (8774.0±39.4)×106. The total number of J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector is determined to be (10087±44)×106, where the uncertainty is dominated by systematic effects and the statistical uncertainty is negligible.
Using e+e− annihilation data corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 6.32 fb−1 collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.178 and 4.226 GeV with the BESIII detector, we perform an amplitude analysis of the decay D+s→K0SK0Sπ+ for the first time. An enhancement is observed in the K0SK0S mass spectrum near 1.7 GeV/c2, which was not seen in D+s→K+K−π+ in an earlier work, implying the existence of an isospin one partner of the f0(1710). The branching fraction of the decay D+s→K0SK0Sπ+ is determined to be B(D+s→K0SK0Sπ+)=(0.68±0.04stat±0.01syst)%.
Using J/ψ radiative decays from 9.0 billion J/ψ events collected by the BESIII detector, we search for di-muon decays of a CP-odd light Higgs boson (A0), predicted by many new physics models beyond the Standard Model, including the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model. No evidence for the CP-odd light Higgs production is found, and we set 90% confidence level upper limits on the product branching fraction B(J/ψ→γA0)×B(A0→μ+μ−) in the range of (1.2−778.0)×10−9 for 0.212≤mA0≤3.0 GeV/c2. The new measurement is a 6-7 times improvement over our previous measurement, and is also slightly better than the BaBar measurement in the low-mass region for tanβ=1.
Using a sample of (10.09±0.04)×109 J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, a partial wave analysis of J/ψ→γη′η′ is performed.The masses and widths of the observed resonances and their branching fractions are reported. The main contribution is from J/ψ→γf0(2020) with f0(2020)→η′η′, which is found with a significance of greater than 25σ. The product branching fraction B(J/ψ → γf0(2020))⋅B(f0(2020) → η′η′ is measured to be (2.63±0.06(stat.) + 0.31−0.46(syst.))×10−4.
Based on electron-positron collision data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider II storage rings, the value of R≡σ(e+e−→hadrons)/σ(e+e−→μ+μ−) is measured at 14 center-of-mass energies from 2.2324 to 3.6710 GeV. The resulting uncertainties are less than 3.0%, and are dominated by systematic uncertainties.
By analyzing e+e− annihilation data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93fb−1 collected at the center-of-mass energy of 3.773\,GeV with the BESIII detector, we report the first observations of the doubly Cabibbo-suppressed decays D+→K+π0π0 and D+→K+π0η. The branching fractions of D+→K+π0π0 and D+→K+π0η are measured to be (2.1±0.4stat±0.1syst)×10−4 and (2.1±0.5stat±0.1syst)×10−4 with statistical significances of 8.8σ and 5.5σ, respectively. In addition, we search for the subprocesses D+→K∗(892)+π0 and D+→K∗(892)+η with K∗(892)+→K+π0. The branching fraction of D+→K∗(892)+η is determined to be (4.4+1.8−1.5stat±0.2syst)×10−4, with a statistical significance of 3.2σ. No significant signal for D+→K∗(892)+π0 is found and we set an upper limit on the branching fraction of this decay at the 90\% confidence level to be 5.4×10−4.
By analyzing e+e− annihilation data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93fb−1 collected at the center-of-mass energy of 3.773\,GeV with the BESIII detector, we report the first observations of the doubly Cabibbo-suppressed decays D+→K+π0π0 and D+→K+π0η. The branching fractions of D+→K+π0π0 and D+→K+π0η are measured to be (2.1±0.4stat±0.1syst)×10−4 and (2.1±0.5stat±0.1syst)×10−4 with statistical significances of 8.8σ and 5.5σ, respectively. In addition, we search for the subprocesses D+→K∗(892)+π0 and D+→K∗(892)+η with K∗(892)+→K+π0. The branching fraction of D+→K∗(892)+η is determined to be (4.4+1.8−1.5stat±0.2syst)×10−4, with a statistical significance of 3.2σ. No significant signal for D+→K∗(892)+π0 is found and we set an upper limit on the branching fraction of this decay at the 90\% confidence level to be 5.4×10−4.
Using J/ψ radiative decays from 9.0 billion J/ψ events collected by the BESIII detector, we search for di-muon decays of a CP-odd light Higgs boson (A0), predicted by many new physics models beyond the Standard Model, including the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model. No evidence for the CP-odd light Higgs production is found, and we set 90% confidence level upper limits on the product branching fraction B(J/ψ→γA0)×B(A0→μ+μ−) in the range of (1.2−778.0)×10−9 for 0.212≤mA0≤3.0 GeV/c2. The new measurement is a 6-7 times improvement over our previous measurement, and is also slightly better than the BaBar measurement in the low-mass region for tanβ=1.
Though immensely successful, the standard model of particle physics does not offer any explanation as to why our Universe contains so much more matter than antimatter. A key to a dynamically generated matter–antimatter asymmetry is the existence of processes that violate the combined charge conjugation and parity (CP) symmetry1. As such, precision tests of CP symmetry may be used to search for physics beyond the standard model. However, hadrons decay through an interplay of strong and weak processes, quantified in terms of relative phases between the amplitudes. Although previous experiments constructed CP observables that depend on both strong and weak phases, we present an approach where sequential two-body decays of entangled multi-strange baryon–antibaryon pairs provide a separation between these phases. Our method, exploiting spin entanglement between the double-strange Ξ− baryon and its antiparticle2 Ξ¯+
, has enabled a direct determination of the weak-phase difference, (ξP − ξS) = (1.2 ± 3.4 ± 0.8) × 10−2 rad. Furthermore, three independent CP observables can be constructed from our measured parameters. The precision in the estimated parameters for a given data sample size is several orders of magnitude greater than achieved with previous methods3. Finally, we provide an independent measurement of the recently debated Λ decay parameter αΛ (refs. 4,5). The ΛΛ¯
asymmetry is in agreement with and compatible in precision to the most precise previous measurement.
The integrated luminosities of the data samples collected in the BESIII experiment in 2016--2017 at center-of-mass energies between 4.19 and 4.28 GeV are measured with a precision better than 1% by analyzing large-angle Bhabha scattering events. The integrated luminosities of the old data sets collected in 2010--2014 are updated by considering correction related to the detector performance, offsettting the effect of newly discovered readout errors in the electromagnetic calorimeter that happen haphazardly.
Using a sample of about 1010 𝐽/𝜓 events collected at a center-of-mass energy √𝑠=3.097 GeV with the BESIII detector, the electromagnetic Dalitz decays 𝐽/𝜓→𝑒+𝑒−𝜋+𝜋−𝜂′, with 𝜂′→𝛾𝜋+𝜋− and 𝜂′→𝜋+𝜋−𝜂, have been studied. The decay 𝐽/𝜓→𝑒+𝑒−𝑋(1835) is observed with a significance of 15𝜎, and also an 𝑒+𝑒− invariant-mass dependent transition form factor of 𝐽/𝜓→𝑒+𝑒−𝑋(1835) is presented for the first time. The intermediate states 𝑋(2120) and 𝑋(2370) are also observed in the 𝜋+𝜋−𝜂′ invariant-mass spectrum with significances of 5.3𝜎 and 7.3𝜎. The corresponding product branching fractions for 𝐽/𝜓→𝑒+𝑒−𝑋, 𝑋→𝜋+𝜋−𝜂′ [𝑋=𝑋(1835), 𝑋(2120), and 𝑋(2370)] are reported.
By analyzing an electron-positron collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93 fb−1 taken at the center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector, we obtain for the first time the absolute branching fractions for seven 𝐷0 and 𝐷+ hadronic decay modes and search for the hadronic decay 𝐷0→𝐾0𝑆𝐾0𝑆𝜋0 with much improved sensitivity. The results are ℬ(𝐷0→𝐾0𝑆𝜋0𝜋0𝜋0)=(7.64±0.30±0.29)×10−3, (𝐷0→𝐾−𝜋+𝜋0𝜋0𝜋0)=9.54±0.30±0.31)×10−3, ℬ(𝐷0→𝐾0𝑆𝜋+𝜋−𝜋0𝜋0)=(12.66±0.45±0.43)×10−3, ℬ(𝐷+→𝐾0𝑆𝜋+𝜋0𝜋0)=(29.04±0.62±0.87)×10−3, ℬ(𝐷+→𝐾0𝑆𝜋+𝜋+𝜋−𝜋0)=(15.28±0.57±0.60)×10−3, ℬ(𝐷+→𝐾0𝑆𝜋+𝜋0𝜋0𝜋0)=(5.54±0.44±0.32)×10−3, ℬ(𝐷+→𝐾−𝜋+𝜋+𝜋0𝜋0)=(4.95±0.26±0.19)×10−3, and ℬ(𝐷0→𝐾0𝑆𝐾0𝑆𝜋0)<1.45×10−4 at the 90% confidence level. Here, the first uncertainties are statistical, and the second ones are systematic. The newly studied decays greatly enrich the knowledge of the 𝐷→¯𝐾𝜋𝜋𝜋 and 𝐷→¯𝐾𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 hadronic decays and open a bridge to access more two-body hadronic 𝐷 decays containing scalar, vector, axial, and tensor mesons in the charm sector.
Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93 fb−1 collected at a center-of-mass energy √𝑠=3.773 GeV by the BESIII detector, the decay 𝐷0→𝜔𝜙 is observed for the first time. The branching fraction is measured to be (6.48±0.96±0.40)×10−4 with a significance of 6.3𝜎, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. An angular analysis reveals that the 𝜙 and 𝜔 mesons from the 𝐷0→𝜔𝜙 decay are transversely polarized. The 95% confidence level upper limit on longitudinal polarization fraction is set to be less than 0.24, which is inconsistent with current theoretical expectations and challenges our understanding of the underlying dynamics in charm meson decays.
Using e+e− annihilation data corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 6.32 fb−1 collected at the center-of-mass energies between 4.178 and 4.226 GeV with the BESIII detector, we perform an amplitude analysis of the decay D+s→K−K+π+π+π− and determine the relative fractions and phases of different intermediate processes. Absolute branching fraction of D+s→K−K+π+π+π− decay is measured to be (6.60±0.47stat.±0.35syst.)×10−3. The dominant intermediate process is D+s→a1(1260)+ϕ,ϕ→K−K+,a1(1260)+→ρπ+,ρ→π+π−, with a branching fraction of (5.16±0.41stat.±0.27syst.)×10−3.
Using a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6.32 fb−1 recorded by the BESIII detector at center-of-mass energies between 4.178 and 4.226 GeV, an amplitude analysis of the decay D+s → π+π0π0 is performed, and the relative fractions and phases of different intermediate processes are determined. The absolute branching fraction of the decay D+s → π+π0π0 is measured to be (0.50 ± 0.04stat ± 0.02syst)%. Theabsolute branching fraction of the intermediate process D+s → f0(980)π+, f0(980) → π0π0 is determined to be (0.28 ± 0.04stat ± 0.04syst)%.
A search for invisible decays of the Λ baryon is carried out in the process 𝐽/𝜓→Λ¯Λ based on (1.0087±0.0044)×1010 𝐽/𝜓 events collected with the BESIII detector located at the BEPCII storage ring. No signals are found for the invisible decays of Λ baryon, and the upper limit of the branching fraction is determined to be 7.4×10−5 at the 90% confidence level. This is the first search for invisible decays of baryons; such searches will play an important role in constraining dark sector models related to the baryon asymmetry.
We present the first experimental search for the rare charm decay D0→π0ν¯ν. It is based on an e+e− collision sample consisting of 10.6×10^6 pairs of D0¯D0 mesons collected by the BESIII detector at √s=3.773 GeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93 fb^−1. A data-driven method is used to ensure the reliability of the background modeling. No significant D0→π0ν¯ν signal is observed in data and an upper limit of the branching fraction is set to be 2.1×10^-4 at the 90% confidence level. This is the first experimental constraint on charmed-hadron decays into dineutrino final states.
Utilizing the data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.19 fb−1 collected by the BESIII detector at a center-of-mass energy of 4.178 GeV, we perform an amplitude analysis of the 𝐷+
𝑠→𝜋+𝜋−𝜋+ decay. The sample contains 13,797 candidates with a signal purity of ∼80%. The amplitude and phase of the contributing 𝜋𝜋 𝒮 wave are measured based on a quasi-model-independent approach, along with the amplitudes and phases of the 𝒫 and 𝒟 waves parametrized by Breit-Wigner models. The fit fractions of different intermediate decay channels are also reported.
Utilizing the data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.19 fb−1 collected by the BESIII detector at a center-of-mass energy of 4.178 GeV, we perform an amplitude analysis of the D+s→π+π−π+ decay. The sample contains 13,797 candidates with a signal purity of ∼80%. The amplitude and phase of the contributing ππ S wave are measured based on a quasi-model-independent approach, along with the amplitudes and phases of the P and D waves parametrized by Breit-Wigner models. The fit fractions of different intermediate decay channels are also reported.
Using 448.1 × 106 ψ(3686) decays collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII e+e− storage rings, the branching fractions and angular distributions of the decays χcJ → Ξ−Ξ¯¯¯¯+ and Ξ0Ξ¯¯¯¯0 (J = 0, 1, 2) are measured based on a partial-reconstruction technique. The decays χc1 → Ξ0Ξ¯¯¯¯0 and χc2 → Ξ0Ξ¯¯¯¯0 are observed for the first time with statistical significances of 7σ and 15σ, respectively. The results of this analysis are in good agreement with previous measurements and have significantly improved precision.
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.
We report a measurement of cumulants and correlation functions of event-by-event proton multiplicity distributions from fixed-target Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−√ = 3 GeV measured by the STAR experiment. Protons are identified within the rapidity (y) and transverse momentum (pT) region −0.9<y<0 and 0.4<pT<2.0 GeV/c in the center-of-mass frame. A systematic analysis of the proton cumulants and correlation functions up to sixth-order as well as the corresponding ratios as a function of the collision centrality, pT, and y are presented. The effect of pileup and initial volume fluctuations on these observables and the respective corrections are discussed in detail. The results are compared to calculations from the hadronic transport UrQMD model as well as a hydrodynamic model. In the most central 5\% collisions, the value of proton cumulant ratio C4/C2 is negative, drastically different from the values observed in Au+Au collisions at higher energies. Compared to model calculations including Lattice QCD, a hadronic transport model, and a hydrodynamic model, the strong suppression in the ratio of C4/C2 at 3 GeV Au+Au collisions indicates an energy regime dominated by hadronic interactions.
We report cumulants of the proton multiplicity distribution from dedicated fixed-target Au+Au collisions at 3.0 GeV, measured by the STAR experiment in the kinematic acceptance of rapidity (y) and transverse momentum (pT) within −0.5<y<0 and 0.4<pT<2.0 GeV/c. In the most central 0--5\% collisions, a proton cumulant ratio is measured to be C4/C2=−0.85±0.09 (stat.)±0.82 (syst.), which is less than unity, the Poisson baseline. The hadronic transport UrQMD model reproduces our C4/C2 in the measured acceptance. Compared to higher energy results and the transport model calculations, the suppression in C4/C2 is consistent with fluctuations driven by baryon number conservation and indicates an energy regime dominated by hadronic interactions. These data imply that the QCD critical region, if created in heavy-ion collisions, could only exist at energies higher than 3\,GeV.
We report cumulants of the proton multiplicity distribution from dedicated fixed-target Au+Au collisions at 3.0 GeV, measured by the STAR experiment in the kinematic acceptance of rapidity (y) and transverse momentum (pT) within −0.5<y<0 and 0.4<pT<2.0 GeV/c. In the most central 0--5\% collisions, a proton cumulant ratio is measured to be C4/C2=−0.85±0.09 (stat.)±0.82 (syst.), which is less than unity, the Poisson baseline. The hadronic transport UrQMD model reproduces our C4/C2 in the measured acceptance. Compared to higher energy results and the transport model calculations, the suppression in C4/C2 is consistent with fluctuations driven by baryon number conservation and indicates an energy regime dominated by hadronic interactions. These data imply that the QCD critical region, if created in heavy-ion collisions, could only exist at energies higher than 3\,GeV.
In high-energy heavy-ion collisions, partonic collectivity is evidenced by the constituent quark number scaling of elliptic flow anisotropy for identified hadrons. A breaking of this scaling and dominance of baryonic interactions is found for identified hadron collective flow measurements in sNN−−−√ = 3 GeV Au+Au collisions. In this paper, we report measurements of the first- and second-order azimuthal anisotropic parameters, v1 and v2, of light nuclei (d, t, 3He, 4He) produced in sNN−−−√ = 3 GeV Au+Au collisions at the STAR experiment. An atomic mass number scaling is found in the measured v1 slopes of light nuclei at mid-rapidity. For the measured v2 magnitude, a strong rapidity dependence is observed. Unlike v2 at higher collision energies, the v2 values at mid-rapidity for all light nuclei are negative and no scaling is observed with the atomic mass number. Calculations by the Jet AA Microscopic Transport Model (JAM), with baryonic mean-field plus nucleon coalescence, are in good agreement with our observations, implying baryonic interactions dominate the collective dynamics in 3 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC.
We report a new measurement of the production cross section for inclusive electrons from open heavy-flavor hadron decays as a function of transverse momentum (pT) at mid-rapidity (|y|< 0.7) in p+p collisions at s√=200 GeV. The result is presented for 2.5 <pT< 10 GeV/c with an improved precision above 6 GeV/c with respect to the previous measurements, providing more constraints on perturbative QCD calculations. Moreover, this measurement also provides a high-precision reference for measurements of nuclear modification factors for inclusive electrons from open-charm and -bottom hadron decays in heavy-ion collisions.
Measurements of mass and Λ binding energy of 4ΛH and 4ΛHe in Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−√=3 GeV are presented, with an aim to address the charge symmetry breaking (CSB) problem in hypernuclei systems with atomic number A = 4. The Λ binding energies are measured to be 2.22±0.06(stat.)±0.14(syst.) MeV and 2.38±0.13(stat.)±0.12(syst.) MeV for 4ΛH and 4ΛHe, respectively. The measured Λ binding-energy difference is 0.16±0.14(stat.)±0.10(syst.) MeV for ground states. Combined with the γ-ray transition energies, the binding-energy difference for excited states is −0.16±0.14(stat.)±0.10(syst.) MeV, which is negative and comparable to the value of the ground states within uncertainties. These new measurements on the Λ binding-energy difference in A = 4 hypernuclei systems are consistent with the theoretical calculations that result in ΔB4Λ(1+exc)≈−ΔB4Λ(0+g.s.)<0 and present a new method for the study of CSB effect using relativistic heavy-ion collisions.
Measurements of mass and Λ binding energy of 4ΛH and 4ΛHe in Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−√=3 GeV are presented, with an aim to address the charge symmetry breaking (CSB) problem in hypernuclei systems with atomic number A = 4. The Λ binding energies are measured to be 2.22±0.06(stat.)±0.14(syst.) MeV and 2.38±0.13(stat.)±0.12(syst.) MeV for 4ΛH and 4ΛHe, respectively. The measured Λ binding-energy difference is 0.16±0.14(stat.)±0.10(syst.) MeV for ground states. Combined with the γ-ray transition energies, the binding-energy difference for excited states is −0.16±0.14(stat.)±0.10(syst.) MeV, which is negative and comparable to the value of the ground states within uncertainties. These new measurements on the Λ binding-energy difference in A = 4 hypernuclei systems are consistent with the theoretical calculations that result in ΔB4Λ(1+exc)≈−ΔB4Λ(0+g.s.)<0 and present a new method for the study of CSB effect using relativistic heavy-ion collisions.
Measurement of cold nuclear matter effects for inclusive J/ψ in p+Au collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV
(2022)
Measurement by the STAR experiment at RHIC of the cold nuclear matter (CNM) effects experienced by inclusive J/ψ at mid-rapidity in 0-100\% p+Au collisions at sNN−−−√ = 200 GeV is presented. Such effects are quantified utilizing the nuclear modification factor, RpAu, obtained by taking a ratio of J/ψ yield in p+Au collisions to that in p+p collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions. The differential J/ψ yield in both p+p and p+Au collisions is measured through the dimuon decay channel, taking advantage of the trigger capability provided by the Muon Telescope Detector in the RHIC 2015 run. Consequently, the J/ψ RpAu is derived within the transverse momentum (pT) range of 0 to 10 GeV/c. A suppression of approximately 30% is observed for pT<2 GeV/c, while J/ψ RpAu becomes compatible with unity for pT greater than 3 GeV/c, indicating the J/ψ yield is minimally affected by the CNM effects at high pT. Comparison to a similar measurement from 0-20% central Au+Au collisions reveals that the observed strong J/ψ suppression above 3 Gev/c is mostly due to the hot medium effects, providing strong evidence for the formation of the quark-gluon plasma in these collisions. Several model calculations show qualitative agreement with the measured J/ψ RpAu, while their agreement with the J/ψ yields in p+p and p+Au collisions is worse.
Understanding gluon density distributions and how they are modified in nuclei are among the most important goals in nuclear physics. In recent years, diffractive vector meson production measured in ultra-peripheral collisions (UPCs) at heavy-ion colliders has provided a new tool for probing the gluon density. In this Letter, we report the first measurement of J/ψ photoproduction off the deuteron in UPCs at the center-of-mass energy sNN−−−√=200 GeV in d+Au collisions. The differential cross section as a function of momentum transfer −t is measured. In addition, data with a neutron tagged in the deuteron-going Zero-Degree Calorimeter is investigated for the first time, which is found to be consistent with the expectation of incoherent diffractive scattering at low momentum transfer. Theoretical predictions based on the Color Glass Condensate saturation model and the gluon shadowing model are compared with the data quantitatively. A better agreement with the saturation model has been observed. With the current measurement, the results are found to be directly sensitive to the gluon density distribution of the deuteron and the deuteron breakup, which provides insights into the nuclear gluonic structure.
We report precision measurements of hypernuclei 3ΛH and 4ΛH lifetimes obtained from Au+Au collisions at \snn = 3.0\,GeV and 7.2\,GeV collected by the STAR experiment at RHIC, and the first measurement of 3ΛH and 4ΛH mid-rapidity yields in Au+Au collisions at \snn = 3.0\,GeV. 3ΛH and 4ΛH, being the two simplest bound states composed of hyperons and nucleons, are cornerstones in the field of hypernuclear physics. Their lifetimes are measured to be 221±15(stat.)±19(syst.)\,ps for 3ΛH and 218±6(stat.)±13(syst.)\,ps for 4ΛH. The pT-integrated yields of 3ΛH and 4ΛH are presented in different centrality and rapidity intervals. It is observed that the shape of the rapidity distribution of 4ΛH is different for 0--10\% and 10--50\% centrality collisions. Thermal model calculations, using the canonical ensemble for strangeness, describes the 3ΛH yield well, while underestimating the 4ΛH yield. Transport models, combining baryonic mean-field and coalescence (JAM) or utilizing dynamical cluster formation via baryonic interactions (PHQMD) for light nuclei and hypernuclei production, approximately describe the measured 3ΛH and 4ΛH yields. Our measurements provide means to precisely assess our understanding of the fundamental baryonic interactions with strange quarks, which can impact our understanding of more complicated systems involving hyperons, such as the interior of neutron stars or exotic hypernuclei.
We report precision measurements of hypernuclei 3ΛH and 4ΛH lifetimes obtained from Au+Au collisions at \snn = 3.0\,GeV and 7.2\,GeV collected by the STAR experiment at RHIC, and the first measurement of 3ΛH and 4ΛH mid-rapidity yields in Au+Au collisions at \snn = 3.0\,GeV. 3ΛH and 4ΛH, being the two simplest bound states composed of hyperons and nucleons, are cornerstones in the field of hypernuclear physics. Their lifetimes are measured to be 221±15(stat.)±19(syst.)\,ps for 3ΛH and 218±6(stat.)±13(syst.)\,ps for 4ΛH. The pT-integrated yields of 3ΛH and 4ΛH are presented in different centrality and rapidity intervals. It is observed that the shape of the rapidity distribution of 4ΛH is different for 0--10\% and 10--50\% centrality collisions. Thermal model calculations, using the canonical ensemble for strangeness, describes the 3ΛH yield well, while underestimating the 4ΛH yield. Transport models, combining baryonic mean-field and coalescence (JAM) or utilizing dynamical cluster formation via baryonic interactions (PHQMD) for light nuclei and hypernuclei production, approximately describe the measured 3ΛH and 4ΛH yields. Our measurements provide means to precisely assess our understanding of the fundamental baryonic interactions with strange quarks, which can impact our understanding of more complicated systems involving hyperons, such as the interior of neutron stars or exotic hypernuclei.
The STAR collaboration presents jet substructure measurements related to both the momentum fraction and the opening angle within jets in \pp and \AuAu collisions at \sqrtsn =200 GeV. The substructure observables include SoftDrop groomed momentum fraction (\zg), groomed jet radius (\rg), and subjet momentum fraction (\zsj) and opening angle (\tsj). The latter observable is introduced for the first time. Fully corrected subjet measurements are presented for \pp collisions and are compared to leading order Monte Carlo models. The subjet \tsj~distributions reflect the jets leading opening angle and are utilized as a proxy for the resolution scale of the medium in \AuAu collisions. We compare data from \AuAu collisions to those from \pp which are embedded in minimum-bias \AuAu events in order to include the effects of detector smearing and the heavy-ion collision underlying event. The subjet observables are shown to be more robust to the background than \zg~and \rg.
We observe no significant modifications of the subjet observables within the two highest-energy, back-to-back jets, resulting in a distribution of opening angles and the splittings that are vacuum-like. We also report measurements of the differential di-jet momentum imbalance (AJ) for jets of varying \tsj. We find no qualitative differences in energy loss signatures for varying angular scales in the range 0.1< \tsj <0.3, leading to the possible interpretation that energy loss in this population of high momentum di-jet pairs, is due to soft medium-induced gluon radiation from a single color-charge as it traverses the medium.
We report the first multi-differential measurements of strange hadrons of K−, ϕ and Ξ− yields as well as the ratios of ϕ/K− and ϕ/Ξ− in Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−√=3GeV with the STAR experiment fixed target configuration at RHIC. The ϕ mesons and Ξ− hyperons are measured through hadronic decay channels, ϕ→K+K− and Ξ−→Λπ−. Collision centrality and rapidity dependence of the transverse momentum spectra for these strange hadrons are presented. The 4π yields and ratios are compared to thermal model and hadronic transport model predictions. At this collision energy, thermal model with grand canonical ensemble (GCE) under-predicts the ϕ/K− and ϕ/Ξ− ratios while the result of canonical ensemble (CE) calculations reproduce ϕ/K−, with the correlation length rc∼2.7\,fm, and ϕ/Ξ−, rc∼4.2\,fm, for the 0-10\% central collisions. Hadronic transport models including high mass resonance decays could also describe the ratios. While thermal calculations with GCE work well for strangeness production in high energy collisions, the change to CE at 3GeV implies a rather different medium property at high baryon density.
We report the first multi-differential measurements of strange hadrons of K−, ϕ and Ξ− yields as well as the ratios of ϕ/K− and ϕ/Ξ− in Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−√=3GeV with the STAR experiment fixed target configuration at RHIC. The ϕ mesons and Ξ− hyperons are measured through hadronic decay channels, ϕ→K+K− and Ξ−→Λπ−. Collision centrality and rapidity dependence of the transverse momentum spectra for these strange hadrons are presented. The 4π yields and ratios are compared to thermal model and hadronic transport model predictions. At this collision energy, thermal model with grand canonical ensemble (GCE) under-predicts the ϕ/K− and ϕ/Ξ− ratios while the result of canonical ensemble (CE) calculations reproduce ϕ/K−, with the correlation length rc∼2.7\,fm, and ϕ/Ξ−, rc∼4.2\,fm, for the 0-10\% central collisions. Hadronic transport models including high mass resonance decays could also describe the ratios. While thermal calculations with GCE work well for strangeness production in high energy collisions, the change to CE at 3GeV implies a rather different medium property at high baryon density.
The STAR Collaboration reports measurements of back-to-back azimuthal correlations of di-π0s produced at forward pseudorapidities (2.6<η<4.0) in p+p, p+Al, and p+Au collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 200 GeV. We observe a clear suppression of the correlated yields of back-to-back π0 pairs in p+Al and p+Au collisions compared to the p+p data. The observed suppression of back-to-back pairs as a function of transverse momentum suggests nonlinear gluon dynamics arising at high parton densities. The larger suppression found in p+Au relative to p+Al collisions exhibits a dependence of the saturation scale, Q2s, on the mass number, A. A linear scaling of the suppression with A1/3 is observed with a slope of −0.09 ± 0.01.
We report measurements of the longitudinal double-spin asymmetry, ALL, for inclusive jet and dijet production in polarized proton-proton collisions at midrapidity and center-of-mass energy s√ = 510 GeV, using the high luminosity data sample collected by the STAR experiment in 2013. These measurements complement and improve the precision of previous STAR measurements at the same center-of-mass energy that probe the polarized gluon distribution function at partonic momentum fraction 0.015 ≲x≲ 0.25. The dijet asymmetries are separated into four jet-pair topologies, which provide further constraints on the x dependence of the polarized gluon distribution function. These measurements are in agreement with previous STAR measurements and with predictions from current next-to-leading order global analyses. They provide more precise data at low dijet invariant mass that will better constraint the shape of the polarized gluon distribution function of the proton.
Two-particle correlations on transverse rapidity in Au+Au collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV at STAR
(2022)
Two-particle correlation measurements projected onto two-dimensional, transverse rapidity coordinates (yT1,yT2), allow access to dynamical properties of the QCD medium produced in relativistic heavy-ion collisions that angular correlation measurements are not sensitive to. We report non-identified charged-particle correlations for Au + Au minimum-bias collisions at sNN−−−√ = 200 GeV taken by the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC). Correlations are presented as 2D functions of transverse rapidity for like-sign, unlike-sign and all charged-particle pairs, as well as for particle pairs whose relative azimuthal angles lie on the near-side, the away-side, or at all relative azimuth. The correlations are constructed using charged particles with transverse momentum pT≥0.15 GeV/c, pseudorapidity from −1 to 1, and azimuthal angles from −π to π. The significant correlation structures that are observed evolve smoothly with collision centrality. The major correlation features include a saddle shape plus a broad peak with maximum near yT≈3, corresponding to pT≈ 1.5 GeV/c. The broad peak is observed in both like- and unlike-sign charge combinations and in near- and away-side relative azimuthal angles. The all-charge, all-azimuth correlation measurements are compared with the theoretical predictions of {\sc hijing} and {\sc epos}. The results indicate that the correlations for peripheral to mid-central collisions can be approximately described as a superposition of nucleon + nucleon collisions with minimal effects from the QCD medium. Strong medium effects are indicated in mid- to most-central collisions.
The strong force, as one of the four fundamental forces at work in the universe, governs interactions of quarks and gluons, and binds together the atomic nucleus. Notwithstanding decades of progress since Yukawa first developed a description of the force between nucleons in terms of meson exchange, a full understanding of the strong interaction remains a major challenge in modern science. One remaining difficulty arises from the non-perturbative nature of the strong force, which leads to the phenomenon of quark confinement at distance scales on the order of the size of the proton. Here we show that in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, where quarks and gluons are set free over an extended volume, two species of produced vector (spin-1) mesons, namely ϕ and K∗0, emerge with a surprising pattern of global spin alignment. In particular, the global spin alignment for ϕ is unexpectedly large, while that for K∗0 is consistent with zero. The observed spin-alignment pattern and magnitude for the ϕ cannot be explained by conventional mechanisms, while a model with strong force fields accommodates the current data. This is the first time that the strong force field is experimentally supported as a key mechanism that leads to global spin alignment. We extract a quantity proportional to the intensity of the field of the strong force. Within the framework of the Standard Model, where the strong force is typically described in the quark and gluon language of Quantum Chromodynamics, the field being considered here is an effective proxy description. This is a qualitatively new class of measurement, which opens a new avenue for studying the behaviour of strong force fields via their imprint on spin alignment.
The strong force, as one of the four fundamental forces at work in the universe, governs interactions of quarks and gluons, and binds together the atomic nucleus. Notwithstanding decades of progress since Yukawa first developed a description of the force between nucleons in terms of meson exchange, a full understanding of the strong interaction remains a major challenge in modern science. One remaining difficulty arises from the non-perturbative nature of the strong force, which leads to the phenomenon of quark confinement at distance scales on the order of the size of the proton. Here we show that in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, where quarks and gluons are set free over an extended volume, two species of produced vector (spin-1) mesons, namely ϕ and K∗0, emerge with a surprising pattern of global spin alignment. In particular, the global spin alignment for ϕ is unexpectedly large, while that for K∗0 is consistent with zero. The observed spin-alignment pattern and magnitude for the ϕ cannot be explained by conventional mechanisms, while a model with strong force fields accommodates the current data. This is the first time that the strong force field is experimentally supported as a key mechanism that leads to global spin alignment. We extract a quantity proportional to the intensity of the field of the strong force. Within the framework of the Standard Model, where the strong force is typically described in the quark and gluon language of Quantum Chromodynamics, the field being considered here is an effective proxy description. This is a qualitatively new class of measurement, which opens a new avenue for studying the behaviour of strong force fields via their imprint on spin alignment.
A linearly polarized photon can be quantized from the Lorentz-boosted electromagnetic field of a nucleus traveling at ultra-relativistic speed. When two relativistic heavy nuclei pass one another at a distance of a few nuclear radii, the photon from one nucleus may interact through a virtual quark-antiquark pair with gluons from the other nucleus forming a short-lived vector meson (e.g. ρ0). In this experiment, the polarization was utilized in diffractive photoproduction to observe a unique spin interference pattern in the angular distribution of ρ0→π+π− decays. The observed interference is a result of an overlap of two wave functions at a distance an order of magnitude larger than the ρ0 travel distance within its lifetime. The strong-interaction nuclear radii were extracted from these diffractive interactions, and found to be 6.53±0.06 fm (197Au) and 7.29±0.08 fm (238U), larger than the nuclear charge radii. The observable is demonstrated to be sensitive to the nuclear geometry and quantum interference of non-identical particles.
Elliptic flow measurements from two-, four- and six-particle correlations are used to investigate flow fluctuations in collisions of U+U at sNN−−−√ = 193 GeV, Cu+Au at sNN−−−√ = 200 GeV and Au+Au spanning the range sNN−−−√ = 11.5 - 200 GeV. The measurements show a strong dependence of the flow fluctuations on collision centrality, a modest dependence on system size, and very little if any, dependence on particle species and beam energy. The results, when compared to similar LHC measurements, viscous hydrodynamic calculations, and Glauber model eccentricities, indicate that initial-state-driven fluctuations predominate the flow fluctuations generated in the collisions studied.
Elliptic flow measurements from two-, four- and six-particle correlations are used to investigate flow fluctuations in collisions of U+U at sNN−−−√= 193 GeV, Cu+Au at sNN−−−√= 200 GeV and Au+Au spanning the range sNN−−−√= 11.5 - 200 GeV. The measurements show a strong dependence of the flow fluctuations on collision centrality, a modest dependence on system size, and very little if any, dependence on particle species and beam energy. The results, when compared to similar LHC measurements, viscous hydrodynamic calculations, and T$\mathrel{\protect\raisebox{-2.1pt}{R}}$ENTo model eccentricities, indicate that initial-state-driven fluctuations predominate the flow fluctuations generated in the collisions studied.