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The striking similarities that have been observed between high-multiplicity proton-proton (pp) collisions and heavy-ion collisions can be explored through multiplicity-differential measurements of identified hadrons in pp collisions. With these measurements, it is possible to study mechanisms such as collective flow that determine the shapes of hadron transverse momentum (pT) spectra, to search for possible modifications of the yields of short-lived hadronic resonances due to scattering effects in an extended hadron-gas phase, and to investigate different explanations provided by phenomenological models for enhancement of strangeness production with increasing multiplicity. In this paper, these topics are addressed through measurements of the K∗(892)0 and φ(1020) mesons at midrapidity in pp collisions at √s = 13 TeV as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity. The results include the pT spectra, pT-integrated yields, mean transverse momenta, and the ratios of the yields of these resonances to those of longer-lived hadrons. Comparisons with results from other collision systems and energies, as well as predictions from phenomenological models, are also discussed.
Anisotropic flow coefficients, vn, non-linear flow mode coefficients, χn,mk, and correlations among different symmetry planes, ρn,mk are measured in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV. Results obtained with multi-particle correlations are reported for the transverse momentum interval 0.2 < pT < 5.0 GeV/c within the pseudorapidity interval 0.4 < |η| < 0.8 as a function of collision centrality. The vn coefficients and χn,mk and ρn,mk are presented up to the ninth and seventh harmonic order, respectively. Calculations suggest that the correlations measured in different symmetry planes and the non-linear flow mode coefficients are dependent on the shear and bulk viscosity to entropy ratios of the medium created in heavy-ion collisions. The comparison between these measurements and those at lower energies and calculations from hydrodynamic models places strong constraints on the initial conditions and transport properties of the system.
One of the key challenges for nuclear physics today is to understand from first principles the effective interaction between hadrons with different quark content. First successes have been achieved using techniques that solve the dynamics of quarks and gluons on discrete space-time lattices. Experimentally, the dynamics of the strong interaction have been studied by scattering hadrons off each other. Such scattering experiments are difficult or impossible for unstable hadrons and so high-quality measurements exist only for hadrons containing up and down quarks. Here we demonstrate that measuring correlations in the momentum space between hadron pairs produced in ultrarelativistic proton-proton collisions at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) provides a precise method with which to obtain the missing information on the interaction dynamics between any pair of unstable hadrons. Specifically, we discuss the case of the interaction of baryons containing strange quarks (hyperons). We demonstrate how, using precision measurements of p-omega baryon correlations, the effect of the strong interaction for this hadron-hadron pair can be studied with precision similar to, and compared with, predictions from lattice calculations. The large number of hyperons identified in proton-proton collisions at the LHC, together with an accurate modelling of the small (approximately one femtometre) inter-particle distance and exact predictions for the correlation functions, enables a detailed determination of the short-range part of the nucleon-hyperon interaction.
One of the big challenges for nuclear physics today is to understand, starting from first principles, the effective interaction between hadrons with different quark content. First successes have been achieved utilizing techniques to solve the dynamics of quarks and gluons on discrete space-time lattices. Experimentally, the dynamics of the strong interaction have been studied by scattering hadrons off each other. Such scattering experiments are difficult or impossible for unstable hadrons and hence, high quality measurements exist only for hadrons containing up and down quarks. In this work, we demonstrate that measuring correlations in the momentum space between hadron pairs produced in ultrarelativistic proton–proton collisions at the CERN LHC provides a precise method to obtain the missing information on the interaction dynamics between any pair of unstable hadrons. Specifically, we discuss the case of the interaction of baryons containing strange quarks (hyperons). We demonstrate for the first time how, using precision measurements of p–Ω− correlations, the effect of the strong interaction for this hadron–hadron pair can be studied and compared with predictions from lattice calculations.
This Letter presents the measurement of near-side associated per-trigger yields, denoted ridge yields, from the analysis of angular correlations of charged hadrons in proton-proton collisions at s√ = 13 TeV. Long-range ridge yields are extracted for pairs of charged particles with a pseudorapidity difference of 1.4<|Δη|<1.8 and a transverse momentum of 1<pT<2 GeV/c, as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity measured at midrapidity. This study extends the measurements of the ridge yield to the low multiplicity region, where in hadronic collisions it is typically conjectured that a strongly-interacting medium is unlikely to be formed. The precision of the new results allows for the first direct quantitative comparison with the results obtained in e+e− collisions at s√ = 91 GeV, where initial-state effects such as pre-equilibrium dynamics and collision geometry are not expected to play a role. In the multiplicity range where the e+e− results have good precision, the measured ridge yields in pp collisions are substantially larger than the limits set in e+e− annihilations. Consequently, the findings presented in this Letter suggest that the processes involved in e+e− annihilations do not contribute significantly to the emergence of long-range correlations in pp collisions.
This article reports measurements of the pT-differential inclusive jet cross-section in pp collisions at s√ = 5.02 TeV and the pT-differential inclusive jet yield in Pb-Pb 0-10% central collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV. Jets were reconstructed at mid-rapidity with the ALICE tracking detectors and electromagnetic calorimeter using the anti-kT algorithm. For pp collisions, we report jet cross-sections for jet resolution parameters R=0.1−0.6 over the range 20<pT,jet<140 GeV/c, as well as the jet cross-section ratios of different R, and comparisons to two next-to-leading-order (NLO)-based theoretical predictions. For Pb-Pb collisions, we report the R=0.2 and R=0.4 jet spectra for 40<pT,jet<140 GeV/c and 60<pT,jet<140 GeV/c, respectively. The scaled ratio of jet yields observed in Pb-Pb to pp collisions, RAA, is constructed, and exhibits strong jet quenching and a clear pT-dependence for R=0.2. No significant R-dependence of the jet RAA is observed within the uncertainties of the measurement. These results are compared to several theoretical predictions.
This article reports measurements of the pT-differential inclusive jet cross-section in pp collisions at s√ = 5.02 TeV and the pT-differential inclusive jet yield in Pb-Pb 0-10% central collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV. Jets were reconstructed at mid-rapidity with the ALICE tracking detectors and electromagnetic calorimeter using the anti-kT algorithm. For pp collisions, we report jet cross-sections for jet resolution parameters R=0.1−0.6 over the range 20<pT,jet<140 GeV/c, as well as the jet cross-section ratios of different R, and comparisons to two next-to-leading-order (NLO)-based theoretical predictions. For Pb-Pb collisions, we report the R=0.2 and R=0.4 jet spectra for 40<pT,jet<140 GeV/c and 60<pT,jet<140 GeV/c, respectively. The scaled ratio of jet yields observed in Pb-Pb to pp collisions, RAA, is constructed, and exhibits strong jet quenching and a clear pT-dependence for R=0.2. No significant R-dependence of the jet RAA is observed within the uncertainties of the measurement. These results are compared to several theoretical predictions.
This article reports measurements of the pT-differential inclusive jet cross-section in pp collisions at s√ = 5.02 TeV and the pT-differential inclusive jet yield in Pb-Pb 0-10% central collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV. Jets were reconstructed at mid-rapidity with the ALICE tracking detectors and electromagnetic calorimeter using the anti-kT algorithm. For pp collisions, we report jet cross-sections for jet resolution parameters R=0.1−0.6 over the range 20<pT,jet<140 GeV/c, as well as the jet cross-section ratios of different R, and comparisons to two next-to-leading-order (NLO)-based theoretical predictions. For Pb-Pb collisions, we report the R=0.2 and R=0.4 jet spectra for 40<pT,jet<140 GeV/c and 60<pT,jet<140 GeV/c, respectively. The scaled ratio of jet yields observed in Pb-Pb to pp collisions, RAA, is constructed, and exhibits strong jet quenching and a clear pT-dependence for R=0.2. No significant R-dependence of the jet RAA is observed within the uncertainties of the measurement. These results are compared to several theoretical predictions.
This Letter presents the first direct investigation of the p-Σ0 interaction, using the femtoscopy technique in high-multiplicity pp collisions at s√ = 13 TeV measured by the ALICE detector. The Σ0 is reconstructed via the decay channel to Λγ, and the subsequent decay of Λ to pπ−. The photon is detected via the conversion in material to e+e− pairs exploiting the unique capability of the ALICE detector to measure electrons at low transverse momenta. The measured p-Σ0 correlation indicates a shallow strong interaction. The comparison of the data to several theoretical predictions obtained employing the Correlation Analysis Tool using the Schrödinger Equation (CATS) and the Lednický-Lyuboshits approach shows a reasonable agreement. The presented femtoscopic data cannot yet discriminate between different models, which is also the case for the available scattering and hypernuclei data. Nevertheless, the p-Σ0 correlation function is found to be sensitive to the strong interaction, and driven by the interplay of the different spin and isospin channels. This pioneering study demonstrates the feasibility of a femtoscopic measurement in the p-Σ0 channel and with the expected larger data samples in LHC Run 3 and Run 4, the p-Σ0 interaction will be constrained with high precision.
This Letter presents the first direct investigation of the p-Σ0 interaction, using the femtoscopy technique in high-multiplicity pp collisions at s√ = 13 TeV measured by the ALICE detector. The Σ0 is reconstructed via the decay channel to Λγ, and the subsequent decay of Λ to pπ−. The photon is detected via the conversion in material to e+e− pairs exploiting the unique capability of the ALICE detector to measure electrons at low transverse momenta. The measured p-Σ0 correlation indicates a shallow strong interaction. The comparison of the data to several theoretical predictions obtained employing the Correlation Analysis Tool using the Schrödinger Equation (CATS) and the Lednický-Lyuboshits approach shows that the current experimental precision does not yet allow to discriminate between different models, as it is the case for the available scattering and hypernuclei data. Nevertheless, the p-Σ0 correlation function is found to be sensitive to the strong interaction, and driven by the interplay of the different spin and isospin channels. This pioneering study demonstrates the feasibility of a femtoscopic measurement in the p-Σ0 channel and with the expected larger data samples in LHC Run 3 and Run 4, the p-Σ0 interaction will be constrained with high precision.
This Letter presents the first direct investigation of the p-Σ0 interaction, using the femtoscopy technique in high-multiplicity pp collisions at s√ = 13 TeV measured by the ALICE detector. The Σ0 is reconstructed via the decay channel to Λγ, and the subsequent decay of Λ to pπ−. The photon is detected via the conversion in material to e+e− pairs exploiting the unique capability of the ALICE detector to measure electrons at low transverse momenta. The measured p-Σ0 correlation indicates a shallow strong interaction. The comparison of the data to several theoretical predictions obtained employing the Correlation Analysis Tool using the Schrödinger Equation (CATS) and the Lednický-Lyuboshits approach shows a reasonable agreement. The presented femtoscopic data cannot yet discriminate between different models, which is also the case for the available scattering and hypernuclei data. Nevertheless, the p-Σ0 correlation function is found to be sensitive to the strong interaction, and driven by the interplay of the different spin and isospin channels. This pioneering study demonstrates the feasibility of a femtoscopic measurement in the p-Σ0 channel and with the expected larger data samples in LHC Run 3 and Run 4, the p-Σ0 interaction will be constrained with high precision.
The inclusive J/ψ meson production in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collision of sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV at midrapidity (|y| < 0.9) is reported by the ALICE Collaboration. The measurements are performed in the dielectron decay channel, as a function of event centrality and J/ψ transverse momentum pT, down to pT = 0 GeV/c. The J/ψ mean transverse momentum ⟨pT⟩ and rAA ratio, defined as ⟨p2T⟩PbPb/⟨p2T⟩pp, are evaluated. Both observables show a centrality dependence decreasing towards central (head-on) collisions. The J/ψ nuclear modification factor RAA exhibits a strong pT dependence with a large suppression at high pT and an increase to unity for decreasing pT. When integrating over the measured momentum range pT < 10 GeV/c, the J/ψ RAA shows a weak centrality dependence. Each measurement is compared with results at lower center-of-mass energies and with ALICE measurements at forward rapidity, as well as to theory calculations. All reported features of the J/ψ production at low pT are consistent with a dominant contribution to the J/ψ yield originating from charm quark (re)combination.
Mid-rapidity production of π±, K± and (p¯)p measured by the ALICE experiment at the LHC, in Pb-Pb and inelastic pp collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV, is presented. The invariant yields are measured over a wide transverse momentum (pT) 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 pT-integrated particle ratios, i.e. proton-to-pion (p/π) and kaon-to-pion (K/π) ratios, with similar measurements in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 2.76 TeV show no significant energy dependence. Blast-wave fits of the pT 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/π, K/π) as a function of pT show pronounced maxima at pT ≈ 3 GeV/c in central Pb-Pb collisions. At high pT, particle ratios at 5.02 TeV are similar to those measured in pp collisions at the same energy and in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 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 pT and compatible with measurements at sNN−−−√ = 2.76 TeV. The results are compared to state-of-the-art model calculations, which are found to describe the observed trends satisfactorily.
This article reports measurements characterizing the Underlying Event (UE) associated with hard scatterings at midrapidity in pp collisions at s√=13 TeV. The hard scatterings are identified by the leading particle, the charged particle with the highest transverse momentum (pleadingT) in the event. Charged-particle number and summed transverse-momentum densities are measured in different azimuthal regions defined with respect to the leading particle direction: Toward, Transverse, and Away. The Toward and Away regions contain the fragmentation products of the hard scatterings in addition to the UE contribution, whereas particles in the Transverse region are expected to originate predominantly from the UE. The study is performed as a function of pleadingT with three different pT thresholds for the associated particles, pminT> 0.15, 0.5, and 1.0 GeV/c. The charged-particle density in the Transverse region rises steeply for low values of pleadingT and reaches a plateau. The results confirm the trend that the charged-particle density in the Transverse region shows a stronger increase with s√ than the inclusive charged-particle density at midrapidity. The UE activity is increased by approximately 20% when going from 7 to 13 TeV. The plateau in the Transverse region (5<pleadingT< 40 GeV/c ) is further characterized by the probability distribution of its charged-particle multiplicity normalized to its average value (relative transverse activity, RT) and the mean transverse momentum as a function of RT. Experimental results are compared to model calculations using PYTHIA 8 and EPOS LHC. The overall agreement between models and data is within 30%. These measurements provide new insights on the interplay between hard scatterings and the associated UE in pp collisions.
This article reports measurements characterizing the Underlying Event (UE) associated with hard scatterings at midrapidity (|η|<0.8) in pp collisions at s√ = 13 TeV. The hard scatterings are identified by the leading particle, the charged particle with the highest transverse momentum (pleadingT) in the event. Charged-particle numbers and summed transverse-momentum densities are measured in different azimuthal regions defined with respect to the leading particle direction: Toward, Transverse, and Away. The Toward and Away regions contain the fragmentation products of the hard scatterings in addition to the UE contribution, whereas particles in the Transverse region are expected to originate predominantly from the UE. The study is performed as a function of pleadingT with three different pT thresholds for the associated particles, ptrackT> 0.15, 0.5, and 1.0 GeV/c. The charged-particle density in the Transverse region rises steeply for low values of pleadingT and reaches a plateau. The results confirm the trend observed at lower collision energies that the charged-particle density in the Transverse region shows a stronger increase with s√ than the inclusive charged-particle density at midrapidity. The plateau in the Transverse region (5<pleadingT<40 GeV/c) is further characterized by the probability distribution of its charged-particle multiplicity normalized to its average value (relative transverse activity, RT) and the mean transverse momentum as a function of RT. Experimental results are compared to model calculations obtained using PYTHIA 8 and EPOS LHC. The overall agreement between models and data is within 30%. These measurements provide new insights on the interplay between hard scatterings and the associated UE in pp collisions.
The measurement of the azimuthal-correlation function of prompt D mesons with charged particles in pp collisions at s√ = 5.02 TeV and p-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC is reported. The D0, D+, and D∗+ mesons, together with their charge conjugates, were reconstructed at midrapidity in the transverse momentum interval 3 < pT < 24 GeV/c and correlated with charged particles having pT > 0.3 GeV/c and pseudorapidity |η|< 0.8. The properties of the correlation peaks appearing in the near- and away-side regions (for Δφ≈ 0 and Δφ≈π, respectively) were extracted via a fit to the azimuthal correlation functions. The shape of the correlation functions and the near- and away-side peak features are found to be consistent in pp and p-Pb collisions, showing no modifications due to nuclear effects within uncertainties. The results are compared with predictions from Monte Carlo simulations performed with the PYTHIA, POWHEG+PYTHIA, HERWIG, and EPOS 3 event generators.
The measurement of the azimuthal-correlation function of prompt D mesons with charged particles in pp collisions at s√ = 5.02 TeV and p-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC is reported. The D0, D+, and D∗+ mesons, together with their charge conjugates, were reconstructed at midrapidity in the transverse momentum interval 3 < pT < 24 GeV/c and correlated with charged particles having pT > 0.3 GeV/c and pseudorapidity |η|< 0.8. The properties of the correlation peaks appearing in the near- and away-side regions (for Δφ≈ 0 and Δφ≈π, respectively) were extracted via a fit to the azimuthal correlation functions. The shape of the correlation functions and the near- and away-side peak features are found to be consistent in pp and p-Pb collisions, showing no modifications due to nuclear effects within uncertainties. The results are compared with predictions from Monte Carlo simulations performed with the PYTHIA, POWHEG+PYTHIA, HERWIG, and EPOS 3 event generators.
The first measurement at the LHC of charge-dependent directed flow (v1) relative to the spectator plane is presented for Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV. Results are reported for charged hadrons and D0 mesons for the transverse momentum intervals pT>0.2 GeV/c and 3<pT< 6 GeV/c in the 5-40% and 10-40% centrality classes, respectively. The difference between the positively and negatively charged hadron v1 has a positive slope as a function of pseudorapidity η, dΔv1/dη=[1.68 ± 0.49 (stat.) ± 0.41 (syst.)] ×10−4. The same measurement for D0 and D¯0 mesons yields a positive value dΔv1/dη= [4.9 ± 1.7 (stat.) ± 0.6 (syst.)]×10−1, which is about three orders of magnitude larger than the one of the charged hadrons. These measurements can provide new insights into the effects of the strong electromagnetic field and the initial tilt of matter created in non-central heavy-ion collisions on the dynamics of light (u, d, and s) and heavy (c) quarks. The large difference between the observed Δv1 of charged hadrons and D0 mesons may reflect different sensitivity of the charm and light quarks to the early time dynamics of a heavy-ion collision. These observations challenge some of the recent theoretical calculations, which predicted a negative and an order of magnitude smaller value of dΔv1/dη for both light-flavour and charmed hadrons.
The first measurement at the LHC of charge-dependent directed flow (v1) relative to the spectator plane is presented for Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV. Results are reported for charged hadrons and D0 mesons for the transverse momentum intervals pT>0.2 GeV/c and 3<pT< 6 GeV/c in the 5-40% and 10-40% centrality classes, respectively. The difference between the positively and negatively charged hadron v1 has a positive slope as a function of pseudorapidity η, dΔv1/dη=[1.68 ± 0.49 (stat.) ± 0.41 (syst.)] ×10−4. The same measurement for D0 and D¯0 mesons yields a positive value dΔv1/dη= [4.9 ± 1.7 (stat.) ± 0.6 (syst.)]×10−1, which is about three orders of magnitude larger than the one of the charged hadrons. These measurements can provide new insights into the effects of the strong electromagnetic field and the initial tilt of matter created in non-central heavy-ion collisions on the dynamics of light (u, d, and s) and heavy (c) quarks. The large difference between the observed Δv1 of charged hadrons and D0 mesons may reflect different sensitivity of the charm and light quarks to the early time dynamics of a heavy-ion collision. These observations challenge some of the recent theoretical calculations, which predicted a negative and an order of magnitude smaller value of dΔv1/dη for both light-flavour and charmed hadrons.
The first measurement at the LHC of charge-dependent directed flow (v1) relative to the spectator plane is presented for Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV. Results are reported for charged hadrons and D0 mesons for the transverse momentum intervals pT>0.2 GeV/c and 3<pT< 6 GeV/c in the 5-40% and 10-40% centrality classes, respectively. The difference between the positively and negatively charged hadron v1 is found to have a positive slope as a function of pseudorapidity η, dΔv1/dη=[1.68 ± 0.49 (stat.) ± 0.41 (syst.)] ×10−4, with a 2.6σ significance. The same measurement for D0 and D¯0 mesons yields a positive value dΔv1/dη= [4.9 ± 1.7 (stat.) ± 0.6 (syst.)]×10−1, which is about three orders of magnitude larger than the one of the charged hadrons, and is larger than zero with significance of 2.7σ. These measurements can provide new insights into the effects of the strong electromagnetic field and the initial tilt of matter created in non-central heavy-ion collisions on the dynamics of light (u, d, and s) and heavy (c) quarks. The large difference between the observed Δv1 of charged hadrons and D0 mesons may reflect different sensitivity of the charm and light quarks to the early time dynamics of a heavy-ion collision. These observations challenge some of the recent theoretical calculations incorporating effects of the strong electromagnetic field, which predicted a negative and an order of magnitude smaller value of dΔv1/dη for both light-flavour and charmed hadrons.
Υ production in p-Pb interactions is studied at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collision sNN−−−√ = 8.16 TeV with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. The measurement is performed reconstructing bottomonium resonances via their dimuon decay channel, in the centre-of-mass rapidity intervals 2.03<ycms<3.53 and −4.46<ycms<−2.96, down to zero transverse momentum. In this work, results on the inclusive Υ(1S) production cross section as a function of rapidity and transverse momentum are presented. The corresponding nuclear modification factor shows a suppression of the Υ(1S) yields with respect to pp collisions, both at forward and backward rapidity. This suppression is stronger in the low transverse momentum region and shows no significant dependence on the centrality of the interactions. Furthermore, the Υ(2S) nuclear modification factor is also evaluated, suggesting a suppression similar to that of the Υ(1S). A first measurement of the Υ(3S) has also been performed. Finally, results are compared with previous measurements performed by ALICE in p-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV and with theoretical calculations.
Υ production in p-Pb interactions is studied at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collision sNN−−−√ = 8.16 TeV with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. The measurement is performed reconstructing bottomonium resonances via their dimuon decay channel, in the centre-of-mass rapidity intervals 2.03<ycms<3.53 and −4.46<ycms<−2.96, down to zero transverse momentum. In this work, results on the inclusive Υ(1S) production cross section as a function of rapidity and transverse momentum are presented. The corresponding nuclear modification factor shows a suppression of the Υ(1S) yields with respect to pp collisions, both at forward and backward rapidity. This suppression is stronger in the low transverse momentum region and shows no significant dependence on the centrality of the interactions. Furthermore, the Υ(2S) nuclear modification factor is also evaluated, suggesting a suppression similar to that of the Υ(1S). A first measurement of the Υ(3S) has also been performed. Finally, results are compared with previous measurements performed by ALICE in p-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV and with theoretical calculations.
Inclusive Υ production in p-Pb interactions is studied at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collision sNN−−−√ = 8.16 TeV with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. The measurement is performed reconstructing bottomonium resonances via their dimuon decay channel, in the centre-of-mass rapidity intervals 2.03<ycms<3.53 and −4.46<ycms<−2.96, down to zero transverse momentum. In this work, results on the inclusive Υ(1S) production cross section as a function of rapidity and transverse momentum are presented. The corresponding nuclear modification factor shows a suppression of the Υ(1S) yields with respect to pp collisions, both at forward and backward rapidity. This suppression is stronger in the low transverse momentum region and shows no significant dependence on the centrality of the interactions. The inclusive Υ(2S) nuclear modification factor is also evaluated, suggesting a suppression similar to that of the Υ(1S). Finally, results are compared with previous measurements performed by ALICE in p-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV and with theoretical calculations.
Measurements of identified hadrons as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity in pp collisions enable a search for the onset of collective effects in small collision systems. With such measurements, it is possible to study the mechanisms that determine the shapes of hadron transverse momentum (pT) spectra, to search for possible modifications of the yields of short-lived hadronic resonances due to scattering effects in the hadron-gas phase, and to investigate different explanations for the multiplicity evolution of strangeness production provided by phenomenological models. In this paper, these topics are addressed through measurements of the K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) mesons at midrapidity in pp collisions at s√ = 13 TeV as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity. The results include the pT spectra, pT-integrated yields, mean transverse momenta, and the ratios of the yields of these resonances to those of longer-lived hadrons. Comparisons with results from other collision systems and energies, as well as predictions from phenomenological models, are also discussed.
The Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP) produced in ultra relativistic heavy-ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) can be studied by measuring the modifications of jets formed by hard scattered partons which interact with the medium. We studied these modifications via angular correlations of jets with charged hadrons for jets with momenta 20 < pjetT < 40 GeV/c as a function of the associated particle momentum. The reaction plane fit (RPF) method is used in this analysis to remove the flow modulated background. The analysis of angular correlations for different orientations of the jet relative to the second order event plane allows for the study of the path length dependence of medium modifications to jets. We present the dependence of azimuthal angular correlations of charged hadrons with respect to the angle of the axis of a reconstructed jet relative to the event plane in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 2.76 TeV. The dependence of particle yields associated with jets on the angle of the jet with respect to the event plane is presented. Correlations at different angles relative to the event plane are compared through ratios and differences of the yield. No dependence of the results on the angle of the jet with respect to the event plane is observed within uncertainties, which is consistent with no significant path length dependence of the medium modifications for this observable.
The Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP) produced in ultra relativistic heavy-ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) can be studied by measuring the modifications of jets formed by hard scattered partons which interact with the medium. We studied these modifications via angular correlations of jets with charged hadrons for jets with momenta 20 < pjetT < 40 GeV/c as a function of the associated particle momentum. The reaction plane fit (RPF) method is used in this analysis to remove the flow modulated background. The analysis of angular correlations for different orientations of the jet relative to the second order event plane allows for the study of the path length dependence of medium modifications to jets. We present the dependence of azimuthal angular correlations of charged hadrons with respect to the angle of the axis of a reconstructed jet relative to the event plane in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 2.76 TeV. The dependence of particle yields associated with jets on the angle of the jet with respect to the event plane is presented. Correlations at different angles relative to the event plane are compared through ratios and differences of the yield. No dependence of the results on the angle of the jet with respect to the event plane is observed within uncertainties, which is consistent with no significant path length dependence of the medium modifications for this observable.
The Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP) produced in ultra relativistic heavy-ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) can be studied by measuring the modifications of jets formed by hard scattered partons which interact with the medium. We studied these modifications via angular correlations of jets with charged hadrons for jets with momenta 20 < pjetT < 40 GeV/c as a function of the associated particle momentum. The reaction plane fit (RPF) method is used in this analysis to remove the flow modulated background. The analysis of angular correlations for different orientations of the jet relative to the second order event plane allows for the study of the path length dependence of medium modifications to jets. We present the dependence of azimuthal angular correlations of charged hadrons with respect to the angle of the axis of a reconstructed jet relative to the event plane in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 2.76 TeV. The dependence of particle yields associated with jets on the angle of the jet with respect to the event plane is presented. Correlations at different angles relative to the event plane are compared through ratios and differences of the yield. No dependence of the results on the angle of the jet with respect to the event plane is observed within uncertainties, which is consistent with no significant path length dependence of the medium modifications for this observable.
The transverse momentum (pT) differential yields of (anti-)3He and (anti-)3H measured in p-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV with ALICE at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are presented. The ratios of the pT-integrated yields of (anti-)3He and (anti-)3H to the proton yields are reported, as well as the pT dependence of the coalescence parameters B3 for (anti-)3He and (anti-)3H. For (anti-)3He, the results obtained in four classes of the mean charged-particle multiplicity density are also discussed. These results are compared to predictions from a canonical statistical hadronization model and coalescence approaches. An upper limit on the total yield of 4He¯ is determined.
The transverse momentum (pT) differential yields of (anti-)3He and (anti-)3H measured in p-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV with ALICE at the LHC are presented. The ratios of the pT-integrated yields of (anti-)3He and (anti-)3H to the proton yields are reported, as well as the pT dependence of the coalescence parameters B3 for (anti-)3He and (anti-)3H. For (anti-)3He, the results obtained in four classes of the mean charged-particle multiplicity density are also discussed. These results are compared to predictions from a canonical statistical hadronization model and coalescence approaches. An upper limit on the total yield of 4He¯ is determined.
Measurements of K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) resonance production in Pb-Pb and pp collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider are reported. The resonances are measured at midrapidity (|y| < 0.5) via their hadronic decay channels and the transverse momentum (pT) distributions are obtained for various collision centrality classes up to pT = 20 GeV/c. The pT-integrated yield ratio K∗(892)0/K in Pb-Pb collisions shows significant suppression relative to pp collisions and decreases towards more central collisions. In contrast, the ϕ(1020)/K ratio does not show any suppression. Furthermore, the measured K∗(892)0/K ratio in central Pb-Pb collisions is significantly suppressed with respect to the expectations based on a thermal model calculation, while the ϕ(1020)/K ratio agrees with the model prediction. These measurements are an experimental demonstration of rescattering of K∗(892)0 decay products in the hadronic phase of the collisions. The K∗(892)0/K yield ratios in Pb-Pb and pp collisions are used to estimate the time duration between chemical and kinetic freeze-out, which is found to be ∼ 4-7 fm/c for central collisions. The pT-differential ratios of K∗(892)0/K, ϕ(1020)/K, K∗(892)0/π, ϕ(1020)/π, p/K∗(892)0 and p/ϕ(1020) are also presented for Pb-Pb and pp collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV. These ratios show that the rescattering effect is predominantly a low-pT phenomenon.
Measurements of K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) resonance production in Pb-Pb and pp collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider are reported. The resonances are measured at midrapidity (|y| < 0.5) via their hadronic decay channels and the transverse momentum (pT) distributions are obtained for various collision centrality classes up to pT = 20 GeV/c. The pT-integrated yield ratio K∗(892)0/K in Pb-Pb collisions shows significant suppression relative to pp collisions and decreases towards more central collisions. In contrast, the ϕ(1020)/K ratio does not show any suppression. Furthermore, the measured K∗(892)0/K ratio in central Pb-Pb collisions is significantly suppressed with respect to the expectations based on a thermal model calculation, while the ϕ(1020)/K ratio agrees with the model prediction. These measurements are an experimental demonstration of rescattering of K∗(892)0 decay products in the hadronic phase of the collisions. The K∗(892)0/K yield ratios in Pb-Pb and pp collisions are used to estimate the time duration between chemical and kinetic freeze-out, which is found to be ∼ 4-7 fm/c for central collisions. The pT-differential ratios of K∗(892)0/K, ϕ(1020)/K, K∗(892)0/π, ϕ(1020)/π, p/K∗(892)0 and p/ϕ(1020) are also presented for Pb-Pb and pp collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV. These ratios show that the rescattering effect is predominantly a low-pT phenomenon.
The first evidence of spin alignment of vector mesons (K∗0 and ϕ) in heavy-ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is reported. The spin density matrix element ρ00 is measured at midrapidity (|y|< 0.5) in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy (sNN−−−√) of 2.76 TeV with the ALICE detector. ρ00 values are found to be less than 1/3 (1/3 implies no spin alignment) at low transverse momentum (pT< 2 GeV/c) for K∗0 and ϕ at a level of 3σ and 2σ, respectively. No significant spin alignment is observed for the K0S 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.
The first measurement of spin alignment of vector mesons (K∗0 and ϕ) in heavy-ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is reported. The measurements are carried out as a function of transverse momentum (pT ) and collision centrality with the ALICE detector using the particles produced at midrapidity (|y|< 0.5) in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy (sNN−−−√) of 2.76 TeV. The second diagonal spin density matrix element (ρ00 ) is measured from the angular distribution of the decay daughters of the vector meson in the decay rest frame, with respect to the normal of both the event plane and the production plane. The ρ00 values are found to be less than 1/3 (= 1/3 implies no spin alignment) at low pT (< 2 GeV/c) for both vector mesons. The observed deviations from 1/3 are maximal for mid-central collisions at a level of 3σ for K∗0 and 2σ for ϕ mesons. As control measurements, the analysis is also performed using the K0S meson, which has zero spin, and for the vector mesons in pp collisions; in both cases no significant spin alignment is observed. The ρ00 values at low pT with respect to the production plane are closer to 1/3 than for the event plane; they are related to each other through correlations introduced by the elliptic flow in the system. The measured spin alignment is surprisingly large compared to the polarization measured for Λ hyperons, but qualitatively consistent with the expectation from models which attribute the spin alignment to a polarization of quarks in the presence of large initial angular momentum in non-central heavy-ion collisions and a subsequent hadronization by the process of recombination.
In this Letter, the first measurement of the inelastic cross section for antitriton−nucleus interactions is reported, covering the momentum range of 0.8≤p<2.4 GeV/c. The measurement is carried out using data recorded with the ALICE detector in pp and Pb−Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon of 13 TeV and 5.02 TeV, respectively. The detector material serves as an absorber for antitriton nuclei. The raw yield of (anti)triton nuclei measured with the ALICE apparatus is compared to the results from detailed ALICE simulations based on the GEANT4 toolkit for the propagation of (anti)particles through matter, allowing one to quantify the inelastic interaction probability in the detector material. This analysis complements the measurement of the inelastic cross section of antinuclei up to A=3 carried out by the ALICE Collaboration, and demonstrates the feasibility of the study of the isospin dependence of inelastic interaction cross section with the analysis techniques presented in this Letter.
This paper presents the first measurements of the charge independent (CI) and charge dependent (CD) two-particle transverse momentum correlators GCI2 and GCD2 in Pb--Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=2.76\TeVe by the ALICE collaboration. The two-particle transverse momentum correlator G2 was introduced as a measure of the momentum current transfer between neighbouring system cells. The correlators are measured as a function of pair separation in pseudorapidity (Δη) and azimuth (Δφ) and as a function of collision centrality. From peripheral to central collisions, the correlator GCI2 exhibits a longitudinal broadening while undergoing a monotonic azimuthal narrowing. By contrast, GCD2 exhibits a narrowing along both dimensions. These features are not reproduced by models such as HIJING and AMPT. However, the observed narrowing of the correlators from peripheral to central collisions is expected to result from the stronger transverse flow profiles produced in more central collisions and the longitudinal broadening is predicted to be sensitive to momentum currents and the shear viscosity per unit of entropy density η/s of the matter produced in the collisions. The observed broadening is found to be consistent with the hypothesized lower bound of η/s and is in qualitative agreement with values obtained from anisotropic flow measurements.
This paper presents the first measurements of the charge independent (CI) and charge dependent (CD) two-particle transverse momentum correlators GCI2 and GCD2 in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 2.76 TeV by the ALICE collaboration. The correlators are measured as a function of pair separation in pseudorapidity (Δη) and azimuth (Δφ) and as a function of collision centrality. The correlator GCI2 exhibits a longitudinal broadening while undergoing a monotonic azimuthal narrowing from peripheral to central collisions. By contrast, GCD2 exhibits a narrowing along both dimensions towards central events. These features are not reproduced by models such as HIJING and AMPT. However, the observed narrowing of the correlators is expected to result from the stronger transverse flow profiles produced in more central collisions and the longitudinal broadening is predicted to be sensitive to momentum currents and the shear viscosity per unit of entropy density η/s of the matter produced in the collisions. The observed broadening is found to be consistent with the hypothesized lower bound of η/s and is in qualitative agreement with values obtained from anisotropic flow measurements.
Experimental results are presented on event-by-event net-proton fluctuation measurements in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 2.76 TeV, recorded by the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. These measurements have as their ultimate goal an experimental test of Lattice QCD (LQCD) predictions on second and higher order cumulants of net-baryon distributions to search for critical behavior near the QCD phase boundary. Before confronting them with LQCD predictions, account has to be taken of correlations stemming from baryon number conservation as well as fluctuations of participating nucleons. Both effects influence the experimental measurements and are usually not considered in theoretical calculations. For the first time, it is shown that event-by-event baryon number conservation leads to subtle long-range correlations arising from very early interactions in the collisions.
Experimental results are presented on event-by-event net-proton fluctuation measurements in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 2.76 TeV, recorded by the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. These measurements have as their ultimate goal an experimental test of Lattice QCD (LQCD) predictions on second and higher order cumulants of net-baryon distributions to search for critical behavior near the QCD phase boundary. Before confronting them with LQCD predictions, account has to be taken of correlations stemming from baryon number conservation as well as fluctuations of participating nucleons. Both effects influence the experimental measurements and are usually not considered in theoretical calculations. For the first time, it is shown that event-by-event baryon number conservation leads to subtle long-range correlations arising from very early interactions in the collisions.
The pT-differential non-linear flow modes, v4,22, v5,32, v6,33 and v6,222 for π±, K± , K0S , p + p¯¯¯, Λ + Λ¯¯¯¯ and ϕ-meson have been measured for the first time at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV in Pb-Pb collisions with the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The results were obtained with a multi-particle technique, correlating the identified hadrons with reference charged particles from a different pseudorapidity region. These non-linear observables probe the contribution from the second and third order initial spatial anisotropy coefficients to higher flow harmonics. All the characteristic features observed in previous pT-differential anisotropic flow measurements for various particle species are also present in the non-linear flow modes, i.e. increase of magnitude with increasing centrality percentile, mass ordering at low pT and particle type grouping in the intermediate pT range. Hydrodynamical calculations (iEBE-VISHNU) that use different initial conditions and values of shear and bulk viscosity to entropy density ratios are confronted with the data at low transverse momenta. These calculations exhibit a better agreement with the anisotropic flow coefficients than the non-linear flow modes. These observations indicate that non-linear flow modes can provide additional discriminatory power in the study of initial conditions as well as new stringent constraints to hydrodynamical calculations.
The pT-differential non-linear flow modes, v4,22, v5,32, v6,33 and v6,222 for π±, K± , K0S , p + p¯¯¯, Λ + Λ¯¯¯¯ and ϕ-meson have been measured for the first time at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV in Pb-Pb collisions with the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The results were obtained with a multi-particle technique, correlating the identified hadrons with reference charged particles from a different pseudorapidity region. These non-linear observables probe the contribution from the second and third order initial spatial anisotropy coefficients to higher flow harmonics. All the characteristic features observed in previous pT-differential anisotropic flow measurements for various particle species are also present in the non-linear flow modes, i.e. increase of magnitude with increasing centrality percentile, mass ordering at low pT and particle type grouping in the intermediate pT range. Hydrodynamical calculations (iEBE-VISHNU) that use different initial conditions and values of shear and bulk viscosity to entropy density ratios are confronted with the data at low transverse momenta. These calculations exhibit a better agreement with the anisotropic flow coefficients than the non-linear flow modes. These observations indicate that non-linear flow modes can provide additional discriminatory power in the study of initial conditions as well as new stringent constraints to hydrodynamical calculations.
Anisotropic flow coefficients, vn, non-linear flow mode coefficients, χn,mk, and correlations among different symmetry planes, ρn,mk are measured in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV. Results obtained with multi-particle correlations are reported for the transverse momentum interval 0.2<pT<5.0 GeV/c within the pseudorapidity interval 0.4<|η|<0.8 as a function of collision centrality. The vn coefficients and χn,mk and ρn,mk are presented up to the ninth and seventh harmonic order, respectively. Calculations suggest that the correlations measured in different symmetry planes and the non-linear flow mode coefficients are dependent on the shear and bulk viscosity to entropy ratios of the medium created in heavy-ion collisions. The comparison between these measurements and those at lower energies and calculations from hydrodynamic models places strong constraints on the initial conditions and transport properties of the system.
Anisotropic flow coefficients, vn, non-linear flow mode coefficients, χn,mk, and correlations among different symmetry planes, ρn,mk are measured in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV. Results obtained with multi-particle correlations are reported for the transverse momentum interval 0.2<pT<5.0 GeV/c within the pseudorapidity interval 0.4<|η|<0.8 as a function of collision centrality. The vn coefficients and χn,mk and ρn,mk are presented up to the ninth and seventh harmonic order, respectively. Calculations suggest that the correlations measured in different symmetry planes and the non-linear flow mode coefficients are dependent on the shear and bulk viscosity to entropy ratios of the medium created in heavy-ion collisions. The comparison between these measurements and those at lower energies and calculations from hydrodynamic models places strong constraints on the initial conditions and transport properties of the system.
Coherent photoproduction of ρ0 vector mesons in ultra-peripheral Pb–Pb collisions at √sNN = 5.02 TeV
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Cross sections for the coherent photoproduction of ρ0 vector mesons in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV are reported. The measurements, which rely on the π+π− decay channel, are presented in three regions of rapidity covering the range |y|<0.8. For each rapidity interval, cross sections are shown for different nuclear-breakup classes defined according to the presence of neutrons measured in the zero-degree calorimeters. The results are compared with predictions based on different models of nuclear shadowing. Finally, the observation of a coherently produced resonance-like structure with a mass around 1.7 GeV/c2 and a width of about 140 MeV/c2 is reported and compared with similar observations from other experiments.
Coherent photoproduction of ρ0 vector mesons in ultra-peripheral Pb–Pb collisions at √sNN = 5.02 TeV
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Cross sections for the coherent photoproduction of ρ0 vector mesons in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV are reported. The measurements, which rely on the π+π− decay channel, are presented in three regions of rapidity covering the range |y|<0.8. For each rapidity interval, cross sections are shown for different nuclear-breakup classes defined according to the presence of neutrons measured in the zero-degree calorimeters. The results are compared with predictions based on different models of nuclear shadowing. Finally, the observation of a coherently produced resonance-like structure with a mass around 1.7 GeV/c2 and a width of about 140 MeV/c2 is reported and compared with similar observations from other experiments.
This paper presents the measurements of π±, K±, p and p¯ transverse momentum (pT) spectra as a function of charged-particle multiplicity density in proton-proton (pp) collisions at s√ = 13 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. Such study allows us to isolate the center-of-mass energy dependence of light-flavour particle production. The measurements reported here cover a pT range from 0.1 GeV/c to 20 GeV/c and are done in the rapidity interval |y|<0.5. The pT-differential particle ratios exhibit an evolution with multiplicity, similar to that observed in pp collisions at s√ = 7 TeV, which is qualitatively described by some of the hydrodynamical and pQCD-inspired models discussed in this paper. Furthermore, the pT-integrated hadron-to-pion yield ratios measured in pp collisions at two different center-of-mass energies are consistent when compared at similar multiplicities. This also extends to strange and multistrange hadrons, suggesting that, at LHC energies, particle hadrochemistry scales with particle multiplicity the same way under different collision energies and colliding systems.
This paper presents the measurements of π±, K±, p and p¯ transverse momentum (pT) spectra as a function of charged-particle multiplicity density in proton-proton (pp) collisions at s√ = 13 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. Such study allows us to isolate the center-of-mass energy dependence of light-flavour particle production. The measurements reported here cover a pT range from 0.1 GeV/c to 20 GeV/c and are done in the rapidity interval |y|<0.5. The pT-differential particle ratios exhibit an evolution with multiplicity, similar to that observed in pp collisions at s√ = 7 TeV, which is qualitatively described by some of the hydrodynamical and pQCD-inspired models discussed in this paper. Furthermore, the pT-integrated hadron-to-pion yield ratios measured in pp collisions at two different center-of-mass energies are consistent when compared at similar multiplicities. This also extends to strange and multi-strange hadrons, suggesting that, at LHC energies, particle hadrochemistry scales with particle multiplicity the same way under different collision energies and colliding systems.
Inclusive ψ(2S) production is measured in p-Pb collisions at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon pair sNN−−−√=8.16 TeV, using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. The production of ψ(2S) is studied at forward (2.03<ycms<3.53) and backward (−4.46<ycms<−2.96) centre-of-mass rapidity and for transverse momentum pT < 12 GeV/c via the decay to muon pairs. In this paper, we report the integrated as well as the ycms- and pT-differential inclusive production cross sections. Nuclear effects on ψ(2S) production are studied via the determination of the nuclear modification factor that shows a strong suppression at both forward and backward centre-of-mass rapidities. Comparisons with corresponding results for inclusive J/ψ show a similar suppression for the two states at forward rapidity (p-going direction), but a stronger suppression for ψ(2S) at backward rapidity (Pb-going direction). As a function of pT, no clear dependence of the nuclear modification factor is found. The relative size of nuclear effects on ψ(2S) production compared to J/ψ is also studied via the double ratio of production cross sections [σψ(2S)/σJ/ψ]pPb/[σψ(2S)/σJ/ψ]pp between p-Pb and pp collisions. The results are compared with theoretical models that include various effects related to the initial and final state of the collision system and also with previous measurements at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV.
We report on the measurement of the size of the particle-emitting source from two-baryon correlations with ALICE in high-multiplicity pp collisions at s√ = 13 TeV. The source radius is studied with low relative momentum p-p, p¯-p¯, p-Λ and p¯-Λ¯ pairs as a function of the pair transverse mass mT considering for the first time in a quantitative way the effect of strong resonance decays. After correcting for this effect, the radii extracted for pairs of different particle species agree. This indicates that protons, antiprotons, Λ, and Λ¯ originate from the same source. Within the measured mT range (1.1-2.2) GeV/c2 the invariant radius of this common source varies between 0.85 and 1.3 fm. These results provide a precise reference for studies of the strong hadron-hadron interactions and for the investigation of collective properties in small colliding systems.
We report on the measurement of the size of the particle-emitting source from two-baryon correlations with ALICE in high-multiplicity pp collisions at s√ = 13 TeV. The source radius is studied with low relative momentum p-p, p¯-p¯, p-Λ and p¯-Λ¯ pairs as a function of the pair transverse mass mT considering for the first time in a quantitative way the effect of strong resonance decays. After correcting for this effect, the radii extracted for pairs of different particle species agree. This indicates that protons, antiprotons, Λ, and Λ¯ originate from the same source. Within the measured mT range (1.1-2.2) GeV/c2 the invariant radius of this common source varies between 0.85 and 1.3 fm. These results provide a precise reference for studies of the strong hadron-hadron interactions and for the investigation of collective properties in small colliding systems.
The production of π±, K±, K0S, K∗(892)0, p, ϕ(1020), Λ, Ξ−, Ω−, and their antiparticles was measured in inelastic proton-proton (pp) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of s√ = 13 TeV at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) as a function of transverse momentum (pT) using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. Furthermore, the single-particle pT distributions of K0S, Λ, and Λ¯¯¯¯ in inelastic pp collisions at s√ = 7 TeV are reported here for the first time. The pT distributions are studied at midrapidity within the transverse momentum range 0≤pT≤20 GeV/c, depending on the particle species. The pT spectra, integrated yields, and particle yield ratios are discussed as a function of collision energy and compared with measurements at lower s√ and with results from various general-purpose QCD-inspired Monte Carlo models. A hardening of the spectra at high pT with increasing collision energy is observed, which is similar for all particle species under study. The transverse mass and xT≡2pT/s√ scaling properties of hadron production are also studied. As the collision energy increases from s√ = 7 to 13 TeV, the yields of non- and single-strange hadrons normalized to the pion yields remain approximately constant as a function of s√, while ratios for multi-strange hadrons indicate enhancements. The pT-differential cross sections of π±, K± and p (p¯¯¯) are compared with next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations, which are found to overestimate the cross sections for π± and p (p¯¯¯) at high pT.
The production of π±, K±, K0S, K∗(892)0, p, ϕ(1020), Λ, Ξ−, Ω−, and their antiparticles was measured in inelastic proton-proton (pp) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of s√ = 13 TeV at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) as a function of transverse momentum (pT) using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. Furthermore, the single-particle pT distributions of K0S, Λ, and Λ¯¯¯¯ in inelastic pp collisions at s√ = 7 TeV are reported here for the first time. The pT distributions are studied at midrapidity within the transverse momentum range 0≤pT≤20 GeV/c, depending on the particle species. The pT spectra, integrated yields, and particle yield ratios are discussed as a function of collision energy and compared with measurements at lower s√ and with results from various general-purpose QCD-inspired Monte Carlo models. A hardening of the spectra at high pT with increasing collision energy is observed, which is similar for all particle species under study. The transverse mass and xT≡2pT/s√ scaling properties of hadron production are also studied. As the collision energy increases from s√ = 7 to 13 TeV, the yields of non- and single-strange hadrons normalized to the pion yields remain approximately constant as a function of s√, while ratios for multi-strange hadrons indicate enhancements. The pT-differential cross sections of π±, K± and p (p¯¯¯) are compared with next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations, which are found to overestimate the cross sections for π± and p (p¯¯¯) at high pT.
In this Letter, we report the first measurement of the antideuteron inelastic cross section at low particle momenta, covering a range of 0.3≤p<4 GeV/c. The measurement is carried out using p-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon pair of sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC and utilizing the detector material as an absorber for antideuterons and antiprotons. The extracted raw primary antiparticle-to-particle ratios are compared to the results from detailed ALICE simulations based on the GEANT4 toolkit for the propagation of antiparticles through the detector material. The analysis of the raw primary (anti)proton spectra serves as a benchmark for this study, since their hadronic interaction cross sections are well constrained experimentally. The first measurement of the antideuteron inelastic cross section averaged over the ALICE detector material with atomic mass numbers ⟨A⟩ = 17.4 and 31.8 is obtained. The measured inelastic cross section points to a possible excess with respect to the Glauber model parameterization in the lowest momentum interval of 0.3≤p<0.47 GeV/c up to a factor 2.1. This result is relevant for the understanding of antimatter propagation and the contributions to antinuclei production from cosmic ray interactions within the interstellar medium. In addition, the momentum range covered by this measurement is of particular importance to evaluate signal predictions for indirect dark-matter searches.
In this Letter, we report the first measurement of the inelastic cross section for antideuteron-nucleus interactions at low particle momenta, covering a range of 0.3≤p<4 GeV/c. The measurement is carried out using p-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon pair of sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC and utilizing the detector material as an absorber for antideuterons and antiprotons. The extracted raw primary antiparticle-to-particle ratios are compared to the results from detailed ALICE simulations based on the GEANT4 toolkit for the propagation of antiparticles through the detector material. The analysis of the raw primary (anti)proton spectra serves as a benchmark for this study, since their hadronic interaction cross sections are well constrained experimentally. The first measurement of the inelastic cross section for antideuteron-nucleus interactions averaged over the ALICE detector material with atomic mass numbers ⟨A⟩ = 17.4 and 31.8 is obtained. The measured inelastic cross section points to a possible excess with respect to the Glauber model parameterization used in GEANT4 in the lowest momentum interval of 0.3≤p<0.47 GeV/c up to a factor 2.1. This result is relevant for the understanding of antimatter propagation and the contributions to antinuclei production from cosmic ray interactions within the interstellar medium. In addition, the momentum range covered by this measurement is of particular importance to evaluate signal predictions for indirect dark-matter searches.
In this Letter, we report the first measurement of the antideuteron inelastic cross section at low particle momenta, covering a range of 0.3≤p<4 GeV/c. The measurement is carried out using p-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon pair of sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC and utilizing the detector material as an absorber for antideuterons and antiprotons. The extracted raw primary antiparticle-to-particle ratios are compared to the results from detailed ALICE simulations based on the GEANT4 toolkit for the propagation of antiparticles through the detector material. The analysis of the raw primary (anti)proton spectra serves as a benchmark for this study, since their hadronic interaction cross sections are well constrained experimentally. The first measurement of the antideuteron inelastic cross section averaged over the ALICE detector material with atomic mass numbers ⟨A⟩ = 17.4 and 31.8 is obtained. The measured inelastic cross section points to a possible excess with respect to the Glauber model parameterization in the lowest momentum interval of 0.3≤p<0.47 GeV/c up to a factor 2.1. This result is relevant for the understanding of antimatter propagation and the contributions to antinuclei production from cosmic ray interactions within the interstellar medium. In addition, the momentum range covered by this measurement is of particular importance to evaluate signal predictions for indirect dark-matter searches.
In this Letter, we report the first measurement of the antideuteron inelastic cross section at low particle momenta, covering a range of 0.3≤p<4 GeV/c. The measurement is carried out using p-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon pair of sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC and utilizing the detector material as an absorber for antideuterons and antiprotons. The extracted raw primary antiparticle-to-particle ratios are compared to the results from detailed ALICE simulations based on the GEANT4 toolkit for the propagation of antiparticles through the detector material. The analysis of the raw primary (anti)proton spectra serves as a benchmark for this study, since their hadronic interaction cross sections are well constrained experimentally. The first measurement of the antideuteron inelastic cross section averaged over the ALICE detector material with atomic mass numbers ⟨A⟩ = 19.6 and 29.7 is obtained. The measured inelastic cross section points to a possible excess with respect to the Glauber model parameterization in the lowest momentum interval of 0.3≤p<0.47 GeV/c up to a factor 2.1. This result is relevant for the understanding of antimatter propagation and the contributions to antinuclei production from cosmic ray interactions within the interstellar medium. In addition, the momentum range covered by this measurement is of particular importance to evaluate signal predictions for indirect dark-matter searches.
The first measurements of the scattering parameters of ΛK pairs in all three charge combinations (ΛK+, ΛK−, and ΛK0S) are presented. The results are achieved through a femtoscopic analysis of ΛK correlations in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 2.76 TeV recorded by ALICE at the LHC. The femtoscopic correlations result from strong final-state interactions, and are fit with a parametrization allowing for both the characterization of the pair emission source and the measurement of the scattering parameters for the particle pairs. Extensive studies with the THERMINATOR 2 event generator provide a good description of the non-femtoscopic background, which results mainly from collective effects, with unprecedented precision. Furthermore, together with HIJING simulations, this model is used to account for contributions from residual correlations induced by feed-down from particle decays. The extracted scattering parameters indicate that the strong force is repulsive in the ΛK+ interaction and attractive in the ΛK− interaction. The data hint that the and ΛK0S interaction is attractive, however the uncertainty of the result does not permit such a decisive conclusion. The results suggest an effect arising either from different quark-antiquark interactions between the pairs (ss¯ in ΛK+ and uu¯¯¯ in ΛK−) or from different net strangeness for each system (S = 0 for ΛK+, and S = −2 for ΛK−). Finally, the ΛK systems exhibit source radii larger than expected from extrapolation from identical particle femtoscopic studies. This effect is interpreted as resulting from the separation in space-time of the single-particle Λ and K source distributions.
The first measurements of the scattering parameters of ΛK pairs in all three charge combinations (ΛK+, ΛK−, and ΛK0S) are presented. The results are achieved through a femtoscopic analysis of ΛK correlations in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 2.76 TeV recorded by ALICE at the LHC. The femtoscopic correlations result from strong final-state interactions, and are fit with a parametrization allowing for both the characterization of the pair emission source and the measurement of the scattering parameters for the particle pairs. Extensive studies with the THERMINATOR 2 event generator provide a good description of the non-femtoscopic background, which results mainly from collective effects, with unprecedented precision. Furthermore, together with HIJING simulations, this model is used to account for contributions from residual correlations induced by feed-down from particle decays. The extracted scattering parameters indicate that the strong force is repulsive in the ΛK+ interaction and attractive in the ΛK− interaction. The data hint that the and ΛK0S interaction is attractive, however the uncertainty of the result does not permit such a decisive conclusion. The results suggest an effect arising either from different quark-antiquark interactions between the pairs (ss¯ in ΛK+ and uu¯¯¯ in ΛK−) or from different net strangeness for each system (S = 0 for ΛK+, and S = −2 for ΛK−). Finally, the ΛK systems exhibit source radii larger than expected from extrapolation from identical particle femtoscopic studies. This effect is interpreted as resulting from the separation in space-time of the single-particle Λ and K source distributions.
The first measurements of the scattering parameters of ΛK pairs in all three charge combinations (ΛK+, ΛK−, and ΛK0S) are presented. The results are achieved through a femtoscopic analysis of ΛK correlations in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 2.76 TeV recorded by ALICE at the LHC. The femtoscopic correlations result from strong final-state interactions, and are fit with a parametrization allowing for both the characterization of the pair emission source and the measurement of the scattering parameters for the particle pairs. Extensive studies with the THERMINATOR 2 event generator provide a good description of the non-femtoscopic background, which results mainly from collective effects, with unprecedented precision. Furthermore, together with HIJING simulations, this model is used to account for contributions from residual correlations induced by feed-down from particle decays. The extracted scattering parameters indicate that the strong force is repulsive in the ΛK+ interaction and attractive in the ΛK− and ΛK0S interactions. The results suggest an effect arising either from different quark-antiquark interactions between the pairs (ss¯ in ΛK+ and uu¯¯¯ in ΛK−) or from different net strangeness for each system (S = 0 for ΛK+, and S = −2 for ΛK−). Finally, the ΛK systems exhibit source radii larger than expected from extrapolation from identical particle femtoscopic studies. This effect is interpreted as resulting from the separation in space-time of the single-particle Λ and K source distributions.
The first measurements of dielectron production at midrapidity (|ηc|<0.8) in proton-proton and proton-lead collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV at the LHC are presented. The dielectron cross section is measured with the ALICE detector as a function of the invariant mass mee and the pair transverse momentum pT,ee in the ranges mee < 3.5 GeV/c2 and pT,ee < 8.0 GeV/c2, in both collision systems. In proton-proton collisions, the charm and beauty cross sections are determined at midrapidity from a fit to the data with two different event generators. This complements the existing dielectron measurements performed at s√ = 7 and 13 TeV. The slope of the s√ dependence of the three measurements is described by FONLL calculations. The dielectron cross section measured in proton-lead collisions is in agreement, within the current precision, with the expected dielectron production without any nuclear matter effects for e+e− pairs from open heavy-flavor hadron decays. For the first time at LHC energies, the dielectron production in proton-lead and proton-proton collisions are directly compared at the same sNN−−−√ via the dielectron nuclear modification factor RpPb. The measurements are compared to model calculations including cold nuclear matter effects, or additional sources of dielectrons from thermal radiation.
The first measurements of dielectron production at midrapidity (|ηc|<0.8) in proton-proton and proton-lead collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV at the LHC are presented. The dielectron cross section is measured with the ALICE detector as a function of the invariant mass mee and the pair transverse momentum pT,ee in the ranges mee < 3.5 GeV/c2 and pT,ee < 8.0 GeV/c2, in both collision systems. In proton-proton collisions, the charm and beauty cross sections are determined at midrapidity from a fit to the data with two different event generators. This complements the existing dielectron measurements performed at s√ = 7 and 13 TeV. The slope of the s√ dependence of the three measurements is described by FONLL calculations. The dielectron cross section measured in proton-lead collisions is in agreement, within the current precision, with the expected dielectron production without any nuclear matter effects for e+e− pairs from open heavy-flavor hadron decays. For the first time at LHC energies, the dielectron production in proton-lead and proton-proton collisions are directly compared at the same sNN−−−√ via the dielectron nuclear modification factor RpPb. The measurements are compared to model calculations including cold nuclear matter effects, or additional sources of dielectrons from thermal radiation.
The first measurements of dielectron production at midrapidity (|ηc|<0.8) in proton-proton and proton-lead collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV at the LHC are presented. The dielectron cross section is measured with the ALICE detector as a function of the invariant mass mT,ee and the pair transverse momentum pT,ee in the ranges mT,ee < 3.5 GeV/c2 and mT,ee < 8.0 GeV/c2, in both collision systems. In proton-proton collisions, the charm and beauty cross sections are determined at midrapidity from a fit to the data with two different event generators. This complements the existing dielectron measurements performed at s√ = 7 and 13 TeV. The slope of the s√ dependence of the three measurements is described by FONLL calculations. The dielectron cross section measured in proton-lead collisions is in agreement, within the current precision, with the expected dielectron production without any nuclear matter effects for e+e− pairs from open heavy-flavor hadron decays. For the first time at LHC energies, the dielectron production in proton-lead and proton-proton collisions are directly compared at the same sNN−−−√ via the dielectron nuclear modification factor RpPb. The measurements are compared to model calculations including cold nuclear matter effects, or additional sources of dielectrons from thermal radiation.
The elliptic and triangular flow coefficients v2 and v3 of prompt D0, D+, and D∗+ mesons were measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.8) in Pb-Pb collisions at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sNN−−−−√=5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The D mesons were reconstructed via their hadronic decays in the transverse momentum interval 1<pT<36 GeV/c in central (0-10%) and semi-central (30-50%) collisions. Compared to pions, protons, and J/ψ mesons, the average D-meson vn harmonics are compatible within uncertainties with a mass hierarchy for pT≲3 GeV/c, and are similar to those of charged pions for higher pT. The coupling of the charm quark to the light quarks in the underlying medium is further investigated with the application of the event-shape engineering (ESE) technique to the D-meson v2 and pT-differential yields. The D-meson v2 is correlated with average bulk elliptic flow in both central and semi-central collisions. Within the current precision, the ratios of per-event D-meson yields in the ESE-selected and unbiased samples are found to be compatible with unity. All the measurements are found to be reasonably well described by theoretical calculations including the effects of charm-quark transport and the recombination of charm quarks with light quarks in a hydrodynamically expanding medium.
The elliptic and triangular flow coefficients v2 and v3 of prompt D0, D+, and D∗+ mesons were measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.8) in Pb-Pb collisions at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sNN−−−−√=5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The D mesons were reconstructed via their hadronic decays in the transverse momentum interval 1<pT<36 GeV/c in central (0-10%) and semi-central (30-50%) collisions. Compared to pions, protons, and J/ψ mesons, the average D-meson vn harmonics are found to follow a mass ordering for pT<3 GeV/c, and to be similar to those of charged pions for higher pT. The coupling of the charm quark to the light quarks in the underlying medium is further investigated with the application of the event-shape engineering (ESE) technique to the D-meson v2 and pT-differential yields. The D-meson v2 is correlated with average bulk elliptic flow in both central and semi-central collisions. Within the current precision, the ratios of per-event D-meson yields in the ESE-selected and unbiased samples are found to be compatible with unity. All the measurements are found to be reasonably well described by theoretical calculations including the effects of charm-quark transport and the recombination of charm quarks with light quarks in a hydrodynamically expanding medium.
The elliptic flow of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity (|y| < 0.8) is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The azimuthal distribution of the particles produced in the collisions can be parameterized with a Fourier expansion, in which the second harmonic coefficient represents the elliptic flow, v2. The v2 coefficient of electrons from beauty-hadron decays is measured for the first time in the transverse momentum (pT) range 1.3-6 GeV/c in the centrality class 30-50%. The measurement of electrons from beauty-hadron decays exploits their larger mean proper decay length cτ≈ 500 μm compared to that of charm hadrons and most of the other background sources. The v2 of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity is found to be positive with a significance of 3.75σ. The results provide insights on the degree of thermalization of beauty quarks in the medium. A model assuming full thermalization of beauty quarks is strongly disfavoured by the measurement at high pT, but is in agreement with the results at low pT. Transport models including substantial interactions of beauty quarks with an expanding strongly-interacting medium describe the measurement.
The elliptic flow of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity (|y| < 0.8) is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The azimuthal distribution of the particles produced in the collisions can be parameterized with a Fourier expansion, in which the second harmonic coefficient represents the elliptic flow, v2. The v2 coefficient of electrons from beauty-hadron decays is measured for the first time in the transverse momentum (pT) range 1.3-6 GeV/c in the centrality class 30-50%. The measurement of electrons from beauty-hadron decays exploits their larger mean proper decay length cτ≈ 500 μm compared to that of charm hadrons and most of the other background sources. The v2 of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity is found to be positive with a significance of 3.75σ. The results provide insights on the degree of thermalization of beauty quarks in the medium. A model assuming full thermalization of beauty quarks is strongly disfavoured by the measurement at high pT, but is in agreement with the results at low pT. Transport models including substantial interactions of beauty quarks with an expanding strongly-interacting medium describe the measurement.
The elliptic flow of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity (|y| < 0.8) is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The azimuthal distribution of the particles produced in the collisions can be parameterized with a Fourier expansion, in which the second harmonic coefficient represents the elliptic flow, v2. The v2 coefficient is measured for the first time in transverse momentum (pT) range 1.3-6 GeV/c in the centrality class 30-50%. The measurement of electrons from beauty-hadron decays exploits their larger mean proper decay length cτ≈ 500 μm compared to that of charm hadrons and most of the other background sources. The v2 of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity is found to be positive with a significance of 3.75σ. The results provide insights on the degree of thermalization of beauty quarks in the medium. A model assuming full thermalization of beauty quarks is strongly disfavoured by the measurement at high pT, but is in agreement with the results at low pT. Transport models including substantial interactions of beauty quarks with an expanding strongly-interacting medium describe the measurement.
Multiplicity dependence of inclusive J/ψ production at midrapidity in pp collisions at √s = 13 TeV
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Measurements of the inclusive J/ψ yield as a function of charged-particle pseudorapidity density dNch/dη in pp collisions at s√ = 13 TeV with ALICE at the LHC are reported. The J/ψ meson yield is measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.9) in the dielectron channel, for events selected based on the charged-particle multiplicity at midrapidity (|η|<1) and at forward rapidity (−3.7<η<−1.7 and 2.8<η<5.1); both observables are normalized to their corresponding averages in minimum bias events. The increase of the normalized J/ψ yield with normalized dNch/dη is significantly stronger than linear and dependent on the transverse momentum. The data are compared to theoretical predictions, which describe the observed trends well, albeit not always quantitatively.
Measurements of the inclusive J/ψ yield as a function of charged-particle pseudorapidity density dNch/dη in pp collisions at s√ = 13 TeV with ALICE at the LHC are reported. The J/ψ meson yield is measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.9) in the dielectron channel, for events selected based on the charged-particle multiplicity at midrapidity (|η|<1) and at forward rapidity (−3.7<η<−1.7 and 2.8<η<5.1); both observables are normalized to their corresponding averages in minimum bias events. The increase of the normalized J/ψ yield with normalized dN/dη is significantly stronger than linear and dependent on the transverse momentum. The data are compared to theoretical predictions, which describe the observed trends well, albeit not always quantitatively.
Measurement of Z-boson production in p-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=8.16 TeV and Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV is reported. It is performed in the dimuon decay channel, through the detection of muons with pseudorapidity −4<ημ<−2.5 and transverse momentum pμT>20 GeV/c in the laboratory frame. The invariant yield and nuclear modification factor are measured for opposite-sign dimuons with invariant mass 60<mμμ<120 GeVc2 and rapidity 2.5<yμμcms<4. They are presented as a function of rapidity and, for the Pb-Pb collisions, of centrality as well. The results are compared with theoretical calculations, both with and without nuclear modifications to the Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs). In p-Pb collisions the center-of-mass frame is boosted with respect to the laboratory frame, and the measurements cover the backward (−4.46<yμμcms<−2.96) and forward (2.03<yμμcms<3.53) rapidity regions. For the p-Pb collisions, the results are consistent within experimental and theoretical uncertainties with calculations that include both free-nucleon and nuclear-modified PDFs. For the Pb-Pb collisions, a 3.4σ deviation is seen in the integrated yield between the data and calculations based on the free-nucleon PDFs, while good agreement is found once nuclear modifications are considered.
Measurement of Z-boson production in p-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=8.16 TeV and Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV is reported. It is performed in the dimuon decay channel, through the detection of muons with pseudorapidity −4<ημ<−2.5 and transverse momentum pμT>20 GeV/c in the laboratory frame. The invariant yield and nuclear modification factor are measured for opposite-sign dimuons with invariant mass 60<mμμ<120 GeVc2 and rapidity 2.5<yμμcms<4. They are presented as a function of rapidity and, for the Pb-Pb collisions, of centrality as well. The results are compared with theoretical calculations, both with and without nuclear modifications to the Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs). In p-Pb collisions the center-of-mass frame is boosted with respect to the laboratory frame, and the measurements cover the backward (−4.46<yμμcms<−2.96) and forward (2.03<yμμcms<3.53) rapidity regions. For the p-Pb collisions, the results are consistent within experimental and theoretical uncertainties with calculations that include both free-nucleon and nuclear-modified PDFs. For the Pb-Pb collisions, a 3.4σ deviation is seen in the integrated yield between the data and calculations based on the free-nucleon PDFs, while good agreement is found once nuclear modifications are considered.
Correction to: Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-3001-6Published online 09 December 2020
In Fig. 1c of this Article, owing to an error during the production process, the equation incorrectly began ‘C(k*, r*) = …’ instead of ‘C(k*) = …’. In addition, in affiliation 71 ‘Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università degli studi di Bari Aldo Moro’ has been corrected to read ‘Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università degli studi di Cagliari’. The original Article has been corrected online.
The polarization of inclusive J/ψ and Υ(1S) produced in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV at the LHC is measured with the ALICE detector. The study is carried out by reconstructing the quarkonium through its decay to muon pairs in the rapidity region 2.5<y<4 and measuring the polar and azimuthal angular distributions of the muons. The polarization parameters λθ, λϕ and λθϕ are measured in the helicity and Collins-Soper reference frames, in the transverse momentum interval 2<pT<10 GeV/c and pT<15 GeV/c for the J/ψ and Υ(1S), respectively. The polarization parameters for the J/ψ are found to be compatible with zero, within a maximum of about two standard deviations at low pT, for both reference frames and over the whole pT range. The values are compared with the corresponding results obtained for pp collisions at s√=7 and 8 TeV in a similar kinematic region by the ALICE and LHCb experiments. Although with much larger uncertainties, the polarization parameters for Υ(1S) production in Pb-Pb collisions are also consistent with zero.
The polarization of inclusive J/ψ and Υ(1S) produced in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV at the LHC is measured with the ALICE detector. The study is carried out by reconstructing the quarkonium through its decay to muon pairs in the rapidity region 2.5<y<4 and measuring the polar and azimuthal angular distributions of the muons. The polarization parameters λθ, λϕ and λθϕ are measured in the helicity and Collins-Soper reference frames, in the transverse momentum interval 2<pT<10 GeV/c and pT<15 GeV/c for the J/ψ and Υ(1S), respectively. The polarization parameters for the J/ψ are found to be compatible with zero, with a maximum deviation at low pT of about 2σ, for both reference frames and over the whole pT range. The values are compared with the corresponding results obtained for pp collisions at s√=7 and 8 TeV in a similar kinematic region by the ALICE and LHCb experiments. Although with much larger uncertainties, the polarization parameters for Υ(1S) production in Pb-Pb collisions are also consistent with zero.
The inclusive J/ψ elliptic (v2) and triangular (v3) flow coefficients measured at forward rapidity (2.5 <y< 4) and the v2 measured at midrapidity (|y|< 0.9) in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV using the ALICE detector at the LHC are reported. The entire Pb-Pb data sample collected during Run 2 is employed, amounting to an integrated luminosity of 750 μb−1 at forward rapidity and 93 μb−1 at midrapidity. The results are obtained using the scalar product method and are reported as a function of transverse momentum pT and collision centrality. At midrapidity, the J/ψ v2 is in agreement with the forward rapidity measurement. The centrality averaged results indicate a positive J/ψ v3 with a significance of more than 5σ at forward rapidity in the pT range 2<pT<5 GeV/c. The forward rapidity v2, v3, and v3/v2 results at low and intermediate pT (pT≲8 GeV/c) exhibit a mass hierarchy when compared to pions and D mesons, while converging into a species-independent curve at higher pT. At low and intermediate pT, the results could be interpreted in terms of a later thermalization of charm quarks compared to light quarks, while at high pT, path-length dependent effects seem to dominate. The J/ψ v2 measurements are further compared to a microscopic transport model calculation. Using a simplified extension of the quark scaling approach involving both light and charm quark flow components, it is shown that the D-meson vn measurements can be described based on those for charged pions and J/ψ flow.
The inclusive J/ψ elliptic (v2) and triangular (v3) flow coefficients measured at forward rapidity (2.5 <y< 4) and the v2 measured at midrapidity (|y|< 0.9) in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV using the ALICE detector at the LHC are reported. The entire Pb-Pb data sample collected during Run 2 is employed, amounting to an integrated luminosity of 750 μb−1 at forward rapidity and 93 μb−1 at midrapidity. The results are obtained using the scalar product method and are reported as a function of transverse momentum pT and collision centrality. At midrapidity, the J/ψ v2 is in agreement with the forward rapidity measurement. The centrality averaged results indicate a positive J/ψ v3 with a significance of more than 5σ at forward rapidity in the pT range 2<pT<5 GeV/c. The forward rapidity v2, v3, and v3/v2 results at low and intermediate pT (pT≲8 GeV/c) exhibit a mass hierarchy when compared to pions and D mesons, while converging into a species-independent curve at higher pT. At low and intermediate pT, the results could be interpreted in terms of a later thermalization of charm quarks compared to light quarks, while at high pT, path-length dependent effects seem to dominate. The J/ψ v2 measurements are further compared to a microscopic transport model calculation. Using a simplified extension of the quark scaling approach involving both light and charm quark flow components, it is shown that the D-meson vn measurements can be described based on those for charged pions and J/ψ flow.
A measurement of dielectron production in proton-proton (pp) collisions at s√=13 TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC, is presented in this Letter. The data set was recorded with a reduced magnetic solenoid field. This enables the investigation of a kinematic domain at low dielectron invariant mass mee and pair transverse momentum pT,ee that was previously inaccessible at the LHC. The cross section for dielectron production is studied as a function of mee, pT,ee, and event multiplicity dNch/dη. The expected dielectron rate from hadron decays, called hadronic cocktail, utilizes a parametrization of the measured η/π0 ratio in pp and proton-nucleus (p-A) collisions, assuming that this ratio shows no strong dependence on collision energy at low transverse momentum. Comparison of the measured dielectron yield to the hadronic cocktail at 0.15<mee<0.6 GeV/c2 and for pT,ee<0.4 GeV/c indicates an enhancement of soft dielectrons, reminiscent of the 'anomalous' soft-photon and -dilepton excess in hadron-hadron collisions reported by several experiments under different experimental conditions. The enhancement factor over the hadronic cocktail amounts to 1.61±0.13(stat.)±0.17(syst.,data)±0.34(syst.,cocktail) in the ALICE acceptance. Acceptance-corrected excess spectra in mee and pT,ee are extracted and compared with calculations of dielectron production from hadronic bremsstrahlung and thermal radiation within a hadronic many-body approach.
A measurement of dielectron production in proton-proton (pp) collisions at s√=13 TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC, is presented in this Letter. The data set was recorded with a reduced magnetic solenoid field. This enables the investigation of a kinematic domain at low dielectron invariant mass mee and pair transverse momentum pT,ee that was previously inaccessible at the LHC. The cross section for dielectron production is studied as a function of mee, pT,ee, and event multiplicity dNch/dη. The expected dielectron rate from hadron decays, called hadronic cocktail, utilizes a parametrization of the measured η/π0 ratio in pp and proton-nucleus (p-A) collisions, assuming that this ratio shows no strong dependence on collision energy at low transverse momentum. Comparison of the measured dielectron yield to the hadronic cocktail at 0.15<mee<0.6 GeV/c2 and for pT,ee<0.4 GeV/c indicates an enhancement of soft dielectrons, reminiscent of the 'anomalous' soft-photon and -dilepton excess in hadron-hadron collisions reported by several experiments under different experimental conditions. The enhancement factor over the hadronic cocktail amounts to 1.61±0.13(stat.)±0.17(syst.,data)±0.34(syst.,cocktail) in the ALICE acceptance. Acceptance-corrected excess spectra in mee and pT,ee are extracted and compared with calculations of dielectron production from hadronic bremsstrahlung and thermal radiation within a hadronic many-body approach.
A measurement of dielectron production in proton-proton (pp) collisions at s√=13 TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC, is presented in this Letter. The data set was recorded with a reduced magnetic solenoid field. This enables the investigation of a kinematic domain at low dielectron invariant mass mee and pair transverse momentum pT,ee that was previously inaccessible at the LHC. The cross section for dielectron production is studied as a function of mee, pT,ee, and event multiplicity dNch/dη. The expected dielectron rate from hadron decays, called hadronic cocktail, utilizes a parametrization of the measured η/π0 ratio in pp and proton-nucleus (p-A) collisions, assuming that this ratio shows no strong dependence on collision energy at low transverse momentum. Comparison of the measured dielectron yield to the hadronic cocktail at 0.15<mee<0.6 GeV/c2 and for pT,ee<0.4 GeV/c indicates an enhancement of soft dielectrons, reminiscent of the 'anomalous' soft-photon and -dilepton excess in hadron-hadron collisions reported by several experiments under different experimental conditions. The enhancement factor over the hadronic cocktail amounts to 1.61±0.13(stat.)±0.17(syst.,data)±0.34(syst.,cocktail) in the ALICE acceptance. Acceptance-corrected excess spectra in mee and pT,ee are extracted and compared with calculations of dielectron production from hadronic bremsstrahlung and thermal radiation within a hadronic many-body approach.
A measurement of dielectron production in proton-proton (pp) collisions at s√=13 TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC, is presented in this Letter. The data set was recorded with a reduced magnetic solenoid field. This enables the investigation of a kinematic domain at low dielectron invariant mass mee and pair transverse momentum pT,ee that was previously inaccessible at the LHC. The cross section for dielectron production is studied as a function of mee, pT,ee, and event multiplicity dNch/dη. The expected dielectron rate from hadron decays, called hadronic cocktail, utilizes a parametrization of the measured η/π0 ratio in pp and proton-nucleus (p-A) collisions, assuming that this ratio shows no strong dependence on collision energy at low transverse momentum. Comparison of the measured dielectron yield to the hadronic cocktail at 0.15<mee<0.6 GeV/c2 and for pT,ee<0.4 GeV/c indicates an enhancement of soft dielectrons, reminiscent of the 'anomalous' soft-photon and -dilepton excess in hadron-hadron collisions reported by several experiments under different experimental conditions. The enhancement factor over the hadronic cocktail amounts to 1.69±0.14(stat.)±0.18(syst.,data)±0.36(syst.,cocktail) in the ALICE acceptance. Acceptance-corrected excess spectra in mee and pT,ee are extracted and compared with calculations of dielectron production from hadronic bremsstrahlung and thermal radiation within a hadronic many-body approach.
This paper presents isolated photon-hadron correlations using pp and p-Pb data collected by the ALICE detector at the LHC. For photons with |η| < 0.67 and 12 < pT < 40 GeV/c, the associated yield of charged particles in the range |η| < 0.80 and 0.5 < pT < 10 GeV/c is presented. These momenta are much lower than previous measurements at the LHC. No significant difference between pp and p-Pb is observed, with PYTHIA 8.2 describing both data sets within uncertainties. This measurement constrains nuclear effects on the parton fragmentation in p-Pb collisions, and provides a benchmark for future studies of Pb-Pb collisions.
This paper presents isolated photon-hadron correlations using pp and p-Pb data collected by the ALICE detector at the LHC. For photons with |η| < 0.67 and 12 < pT < 40 GeV/c, the associated yield of charged particles in the range |η| < 0.80 and 0.5 < pT < 10 GeV/c is presented. These momenta are much lower than previous measurements at the LHC. No significant difference between pp and p-Pb is observed, with PYTHIA 8.2 describing both data sets within uncertainties. This measurement constrains nuclear effects on the parton fragmentation in p-Pb collisions, and provides a benchmark for future studies of Pb-Pb collisions.
This paper presents isolated photon-hadron correlations using pp and p-Pb data collected by the ALICE detector at the LHC. For photons with |η| < 0.67 and 12 < pT < 40 GeV/c, the associated yield of charged particles in the range |η| < 0.80 and 0.5 < pT < 10 GeV/c is presented. These momenta are much lower than previous measurements at the LHC. No significant difference between pp and p-Pb is observed, with PYTHIA 8.2 describing both data sets within uncertainties. This measurement constrains nuclear effects on the parton fragmentation in p-Pb collisions, and provides a benchmark for future studies of Pb-Pb collisions.
Systematic studies of charge-dependent two- and three-particle correlations in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√= 2.76 and 5.02 TeV used to probe the Chiral Magnetic Effect (CME) are presented. These measurements are performed for charged particles in the pseudorapidity (η) and transverse momentum (pT) ranges |η|<0.8 and 0.2<pT<5 GeV/c. A significant charge-dependent signal that becomes more pronounced for peripheral collisions is reported for the CME-sensitive correlators γ1,1=⟨cos(φα+φβ−2Ψ2)⟩ and γ1,−3=⟨cos(φα−3φβ+2Ψ2)⟩. The results are used to estimate the contribution of background effects, associated with local charge conservation coupled to anisotropic flow modulations, to measurements of the CME. A blast-wave parametrisation that incorporates local charge conservation tuned to reproduce the centrality dependent background effects is not able to fully describe the measured γ1,1. Finally, the charge and centrality dependence of mixed-harmonics three-particle correlations, of the form γ1,2=⟨cos(φα+2φβ−3Ψ3)⟩, which are insensitive to the CME signal, verify again that background contributions dominate the measurement of γ1,1.
Systematic studies of charge-dependent two- and three-particle correlations in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√= 2.76 and 5.02 TeV used to probe the Chiral Magnetic Effect (CME) are presented. These measurements are performed for charged particles in the pseudorapidity (η) and transverse momentum (pT) ranges |η|<0.8 and 0.2<pT<5 GeV/c. A significant charge-dependent signal that becomes more pronounced for peripheral collisions is reported for the CME-sensitive correlators γ1,1=⟨cos(φα+φβ−2Ψ2)⟩ and γ1,−3=⟨cos(φα−3φβ+2Ψ2)⟩. The results are used to estimate the contribution of background effects, associated with local charge conservation coupled to anisotropic flow modulations, to measurements of the CME. A blast-wave parametrisation that incorporates local charge conservation tuned to reproduce the centrality dependent background effects is not able to fully describe the measured γ1,1. Finally, the charge and centrality dependence of mixed-harmonics three-particle correlations, of the form γ1,2=⟨cos(φα+2φβ−3Ψ3)⟩, which are insensitive to the CME signal, verify again that background contributions dominate the measurement of γ1,1.
The measurements of the (anti)deuterons elliptic flow (v2) and the first measurements of triangular flow (v3) in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collisions sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV are presented. A mass ordering at low transverse momentum (pT) is observed when comparing these measurements with those of other identified hadrons, as expected from relativistic hydrodynamics. The measured (anti)deuterons v2 lies between the predictions from the simple coalescence and blast-wave models, which provide a good description of the data only for more peripheral and for more central collisions, respectively. The mass number scaling, which is violated for v2, is approximately valid for the (anti)deuterons v3. The measured v2 and v3 are also compared with the predictions from a coalescence approach with phase-space distributions of nucleons generated by iEBE-VISHNU with AMPT initial conditions coupled with UrQMD, and from a dynamical model based on relativistic hydrodynamics coupled to the hadronic afterburner SMASH. The model predictions are consistent with the data within the uncertainties in mid-central collisions, while a deviation is observed in central centrality intervals.
The measurements of the (anti)deuterons elliptic flow (v2) and the first measurements of triangular flow (v3) in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collisions sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV are presented. A mass ordering at low transverse momentum (pT) is observed when comparing these measurements with those of other identified hadrons, as expected from relativistic hydrodynamics. The measured (anti)deuterons v2 lies between the predictions from the simple coalescence and blast-wave models, which provide a good description of the data only for more peripheral and for more central collisions, respectively. The mass number scaling, which is violated for v2, is approximately valid for the (anti)deuterons v3. The measured v2 and v3 are also compared with the predictions from a coalescence approach with phase-space distributions of nucleons generated by iEBE-VISHNU with AMPT initial conditions coupled with UrQMD, and from a dynamical model based on relativistic hydrodynamics coupled to the hadronic afterburner SMASH. The model predictions are consistent with the data within the uncertainties in mid-central collisions, while a deviation is observed in central centrality intervals.
The measurements of the (anti)deuterons elliptic flow (v2) and the first measurements of triangular flow (v3) in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collisions sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV are presented. A mass ordering at low transverse momentum (pT) is observed when comparing these measurements with those of other identified hadrons, as expected from relativistic hydrodynamics. The measured (anti)deuterons v2 lies between the predictions from the simple coalescence and blast-wave models, which provide a good description of the data only for more peripheral and for more central collisions, respectively. The mass number scaling, which is violated for v2, is approximately valid for the (anti)deuterons v3. The measured v2 and v3 are also compared with the predictions from a coalescence approach with phase-space distributions of nucleons generated by iEBE-VISHNU with AMPT initial conditions coupled with UrQMD, and from a dynamical model based on relativistic hydrodynamics coupled to the hadronic afterburner SMASH. The model predictions are consistent with the data within the uncertainties in mid-central collisions, while a deviation is observed in central centrality intervals.
The femtoscopic study of pairs of identical pions is particularly suited to investigate the effective source function of particle emission, due to the resulting Bose-Einstein correlation signal. In small collision systems at the LHC, pp in particular, the majority of the pions are produced in resonance decays, which significantly affect the profile and size of the source. In this work, we explicitly model this effect in order to extract the primordial source in pp collisions at s√=13 TeV from charged π-π correlations measured by ALICE. We demonstrate that the assumption of a Gaussian primordial source is compatible with the data and that the effective source, resulting from modifications due to resonances, is approximately exponential, as found in previous measurements at the LHC. The universality of hadron emission in pp collisions is further investigated by applying the same methodology to characterize the primordial source of K-p pairs. The size of the primordial source is evaluated as a function of the transverse mass (mT) of the pairs, leading to the observation of a common scaling for both π-π and K-p, suggesting a collective effect. Further, the present results are compatible with the mT scaling of the p-p and p−Λ primordial source measured by ALICE in high multiplicity pp collisions, providing compelling evidence for the presence of a common emission source for all hadrons in small collision systems at the LHC. This will allow the determination of the source function for any hadron--hadron pairs with high precision, granting access to the properties of the possible final-state interaction among pairs of less abundantly produced hadrons, such as strange or charmed particles.
Measurements of charged-particle production in pp, p−Pb, and Pb−Pb collisions in the toward, away, and transverse regions with the ALICE detector are discussed. These regions are defined event-by-event relative to the azimuthal direction of the charged trigger particle, which is the reconstructed particle with the largest transverse momentum (ptrigT) in the range 8<ptrigT<15 GeV/c. The toward and away regions contain the primary and recoil jets, respectively; both regions are accompanied by the underlying event (UE). In contrast, the transverse region perpendicular to the direction of the trigger particle is dominated by the so-called UE dynamics, and includes also contributions from initial- and final-state radiation. The relative transverse activity classifier, RT=NTch/⟨NTch⟩, is used to group events according to their UE activity, where NTch is the charged-particle multiplicity per event in the transverse region and ⟨NTch⟩ is the mean value over the whole analysed sample. The energy dependence of the RT distributions in pp collisions at s√=2.76, 5.02, 7, and 13 TeV is reported, exploring the Koba-Nielsen-Olesen (KNO) scaling properties of the multiplicity distributions. The first measurements of charged-particle pT spectra as a function of RT in the three azimuthal regions in pp, p−Pb, and Pb−Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV are also reported. Data are compared with predictions obtained from the event generators PYTHIA 8 and EPOS LHC. This set of measurements is expected to contribute to the understanding of the origin of collective-like effects in small collision systems (pp and p−Pb).
In this letter, measurements of (anti)alpha production in central (0−10%) Pb−Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon−nucleon pair of sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV are presented, including the first measurement of an antialpha transverse-momentum spectrum. Owing to its large mass, (anti)alpha production yields and transverse-momentum spectra are of particular interest because they provide a stringent test of particle production models. The averaged antialpha and alpha spectrum is included into a common blast-wave fit with lighter particles, indicating that the (anti)alpha also participates in the collective expansion of the medium created in the collision. A blast-wave fit including only protons, (anti)alpha, and other light nuclei results in a similar flow velocity as the fit that includes all particles. A similar flow velocity, but a significantly larger kinetic freeze-out temperature is obtained when only protons and light nuclei are included in the fit. The coalescence parameter B4 is well described by calculations from a statistical hadronization model but significantly underestimated by calculations assuming nucleus formation via coalescence of nucleons. Similarly, the (anti)alpha-to-proton ratio is well described by the statistical hadronization model. On the other hand, coalescence calculations including approaches with different implementations of the (anti)alpha substructure tend to underestimate the data.
The dependence of f0(980) production on the final-state charged-particle multiplicity in p−Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV is reported. The production of f0(980) is measured with the ALICE detector via the f0(980)→π+π− decay channel in a midrapidity region of −0.5<y<0. Particle yield ratios of f0(980) to π and K∗(892)0 are found to be decreasing with increasing charged-particle multiplicity. The magnitude of the suppression of the f0(980)/π and f0(980)/K∗(892)0 yield ratios is found to be dependent on the transverse momentum pT, suggesting different mechanisms responsible for the measured effects. Furthermore, the nuclear modification factor QpPb of f0(980) is measured in various multiplicity ranges. The QpPb shows a strong suppression of the f0(980) production in the pT region up to about 4 GeV/c. The results on the particle yield ratios and QpPb for f0(980) may help to understand the late hadronic phase in p−Pb collisions and the nature of the internal structure of f0(980) particle.
The first measurement of the multiplicity dependence of intra-jet properties of leading charged-particle jets in proton-proton (pp) collisions is reported. The mean charged-particle multiplicity and jet fragmentation distributions are measured in minimum-bias and high-multiplicity pp collisions at s√ = 13 TeV using the ALICE detector. Jets are reconstructed from charged particles produced in the midrapidity region (|η|<0.9) using the sequential recombination anti-kT algorithm with jet resolution parameters R = 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 for the transverse momentum (pT) interval 5−110 GeV/c. High-multiplicity events are selected by the forward V0 scintillator detectors. The mean charged-particle multiplicity inside the leading jet cone rises monotonically with increasing jet pT in qualitative agreement with previous measurements at lower energies. The distributions of jet fragmentation functions zch and ξch are measured for different jet-pT intervals. Jet-pT independent fragmentation of leading jets is observed for wider jets except at high- and low-zch. The observed "hump-backed plateau" structure in the ξch distribution indicates suppression of low-pT particles. In high-multiplicity events, an enhancement of the fragmentation probability of low-zch particles accompanied by a suppression of high-zch particles is observed compared to minimum-bias events. This behavior becomes more prominent for low-pT jets with larger jet radius. The results are compared with predictions of QCD-inspired event generators, PYTHIA 8 with Monash 2013 tune and EPOS LHC. It is found that PYTHIA 8 qualitatively reproduces the jet modification in high-multiplicity events except at high jet pT. These measurements provide important constraints to models of jet fragmentation.
This Letter presents the most precise measurement to date of the matter/antimatter imbalance at midrapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV. Using the Statistical Hadronization framework, it is possible to obtain the value of the electric charge and baryon chemical potentials, μQ=−0.18±0.90 MeV and μB=0.71±0.45 MeV, with unprecedented precision. A centrality-differential study of the antiparticle-to-particle yield ratios of charged pions, protons, Ω-baryons, and light (hyper)nuclei is performed. These results indicate that the system created in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC is on average baryon-free and electrically neutral at midrapidity.
The two-particle momentum correlation functions between charm mesons (D∗± and D±) and charged light-flavor mesons (π± and K±) in all charge-combinations are measured for the first time by the ALICE Collaboration in high-multiplicity proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of s√=13 TeV. For DK and D∗K pairs, the experimental results are in agreement with theoretical predictions of the residual strong interaction based on quantum chromodynamics calculations on the lattice and chiral effective field theory. In the case of Dπ and D∗π pairs, tension between the calculations including strong interactions and the measurement is observed. For all particle pairs, the data can be adequately described by Coulomb interaction only, indicating a shallow interaction between charm and light-flavor mesons. Finally, the scattering lengths governing the residual strong interaction of the Dπ and D∗π systems are determined by fitting the experimental correlation functions with a model that employs a Gaussian potential. The extracted values are small and compatible with zero.
The first measurements of femtoscopic correlations with the particle pair combinations π±K0S in pp collisions at s√=13 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are reported by the ALICE experiment. Using the femtoscopic approach, it is shown that it is possible to study the elusive K∗0(700) particle that has been considered a tetraquark candidate for over forty years. Boson source parameters and final-state interaction parameters are extracted by fitting a model assuming a Gaussian source to the experimentally measured two-particle correlation functions. The final-state interaction is modeled through a resonant scattering amplitude, defined in terms of a mass and a coupling parameter, decaying into a π±K0S pair. The extracted mass and Breit-Wigner width, derived from the coupling parameter, of the final-state interaction are found to be consistent with previous measurements of the K∗0(700). The small value and increasing behavior of the correlation strength with increasing source size support the hypothesis that the K∗0(700) is a four-quark state, i.e. a tetraquark state. This latter trend is also confirmed via a simple geometric model that assumes a tetraquark structure of the K∗0(700) resonance.
The first measurements of femtoscopic correlations with the particle pair combinations π±K0S in pp collisions at s√=13 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are reported by the ALICE experiment. Using the femtoscopic approach, it is shown that it is possible to study the elusive K∗0(700) particle that has been considered a tetraquark candidate for over forty years. Boson source parameters and final-state interaction parameters are extracted by fitting a model assuming a Gaussian source to the experimentally measured two-particle correlation functions. The final-state interaction is modeled through a resonant scattering amplitude, defined in terms of a mass and a coupling parameter, decaying into a π±K0S pair. The extracted mass and Breit-Wigner width, derived from the coupling parameter, of the final-state interaction are found to be consistent with previous measurements of the K∗0(700). The small value and increasing behavior of the correlation strength with increasing source size support the hypothesis that the K∗0(700) is a four-quark state, i.e. a tetraquark state. This latter trend is also confirmed via a simple geometric model that assumes a tetraquark structure of the K∗0(700) resonance.
The cross section for coherent photonuclear production of J/ψ is presented as a function of the electromagnetic dissociation (EMD) of Pb. The measurement is performed with the ALICE detector in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV. Cross sections are presented in five different J/ψ rapidity ranges within |y|<4, with the J/ψ reconstructed via its dilepton decay channels. In some events the J/ψ is not accompanied by EMD, while other events do produce neutrons from EMD at beam rapidities either in one or the other beam direction, or in both. The cross sections in a given rapidity range and for different configurations of neutrons from EMD allow for the extraction of the energy dependence of this process in the range 17<WγPb,n<920 GeV, where WγPb,n is the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon of the γPb system. This range corresponds to a Bjorken-x interval spanning about three orders of magnitude: 1.1×10−5<x<3.3×10−2. In addition to the ultra-peripheral and photonuclear cross sections, the nuclear suppression factor is obtained. These measurements point to a strong depletion of the gluon distribution in Pb nuclei over a broad, previously unexplored, energy range. These results, together with previous ALICE measurements, provide unprecedented information to probe quantum chromodynamics at high energies.
The study of (anti-)deuteron production in pp collisions has proven to be a powerful tool to investigate the formation mechanism of loosely bound states in high energy hadronic collisions. In this paper the production of (anti-)deuterons is studied as a function of the charged particle multiplicity in inelastic pp collisions at s√=13 TeV using the ALICE experiment. Thanks to the large accumulated integrated luminosity, it has been possible to measure (anti-)deuteron production in pp collisions up to the same charged particle multiplicity (dNch/dη∼26) as measured in p-Pb collisions at similar centre-of-mass energies. Within the uncertainties, the deuteron yield in pp collisions resembles the one in p-Pb interactions, suggesting a common formation mechanism behind the production of light nuclei in hadronic interactions. In this context the measurements are compared with the expectations of coalescence and Statistical Hadronisation Models (SHM).
The study of (anti-)deuteron production in pp collisions has proven to be a powerful tool to investigate the formation mechanism of loosely bound states in high energy hadronic collisions. In this paper the production of (anti-)deuterons is studied as a function of the charged particle multiplicity in inelastic pp collisions at s√=13 TeV using the ALICE experiment. Thanks to the large number of accumulated minimum bias events, it has been possible to measure (anti-)deuteron production in pp collisions up to the same charged particle multiplicity (dNch/dη∼26) as measured in p-Pb collisions at similar centre-of-mass energies. Within the uncertainties, the deuteron yield in pp collisions resembles the one in p-Pb interactions, suggesting a common formation mechanism behind the production of light nuclei in hadronic interactions. In this context the measurements are compared with the expectations of coalescence and Statistical Hadronisation Models (SHM).