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Correlations between moments of different flow coefficients are measured in Pb–Pb collisions at √sNN=5.02TeV recorded with the ALICE detector. These new measurements are based on multiparticle mixed harmonic cumulants calculated using charged particles in the pseudorapidity region |η| <0.8with the transverse momentum range 0.2 <pT<5.0GeV/c. The centrality dependence of correlations between two flow coefficients as well as the correlations between three flow coefficients, both in terms of their second moments, are shown. In addition, a collection of mixed harmonic cumulants involving higher moments of v2and v3is measured for the first time, where the characteristic signature of negative, positive and negative signs of four-, six-and eight-particle cumulants are observed, respectively. The measurements are compared to the hydrodynamic calculations using iEBE-VISHNU with AMPT and TRENTo initial conditions. It is shown that the measurements carried out using the LHC Run 2 data in 2015 have the precision to explore the details of initial-state fluctuations and probe the nonlinear hydrodynamic response of v2and v3to their corresponding initial anisotropy coefficients ε2and ε3. These new studies on correlations between three flow coefficients as well as correlations between higher moments of two different flow coefficients will pave the way to tighten constraints on initial-state models and help to extract precise information on the dynamic evolution of the hot and dense matter created in heavy-ion collisions at the LHC.
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.
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. The J/ψ mean transverse momentum 〈pT〉 and rAA ratio, defined as 〈pT2〉PbPb/〈pT2〉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.
This paper presents the first measurements of the charge independent (CI) and charge dependent (CD) two-particle transverse momentum correlators GCI 2 and GCD 2 in Pb–Pb collisions at √sNN = 2.76 TeV by the ALICE collaboration. The two-particle transverse momentum correlator G2 was introduced as a measure of the momentum current transfer between neighboring 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 GCI 2 exhibits a longitudinal broadening while undergoing a monotonic azimuthal narrowing. By contrast, GCD 2 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 Letter presents the first direct investigation of the p–0 interaction, using the femtoscopy technique in high-multiplicity pp collisions at √s = 13 TeV measured by the ALICE detector. The 0 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 capability of the ALICE detector to measure electrons at low transverse momenta. The measured p–0 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–0 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–0 channel and with the expected larger data samples in LHC Run 3 and Run 4, the p–0 interaction will be constrained with high precision.
The elliptic flow (v2) of (anti-)3He is measured in Pb–Pb collisions at √sNN=5.02TeV in the transverse-momentum (pT) range of 2–6 GeV/c for the centrality classes 0–20%, 20–40%, and 40–60% using the event-plane method. This measurement is compared to that of pions, kaons, and protons at the same center-of-mass energy. A clear mass ordering is observed at low pT, as expected from relativistic hydrodynamics. The violation of the scaling of v2 with the number of constituent quarks at low pT, already observed for identified hadrons and deuterons at LHC energies, is confirmed also for (anti-)3He. The elliptic flow of (anti-)3He is underestimated by the Blast-Wave model and overestimated by a simple coalescence approach based on nucleon scaling. The elliptic flow of (anti-)3He measured in the centrality classes 0–20% and 20–40% is well described by a more sophisticated coalescence model where the phase-space distributions of protons and neutrons are generated using the iEBE-VISHNU hybrid model with AMPT initial conditions.
In quantum scattering processes between two particles, aspects characterizing the strong and Coulomb forces can be observed in kinematic distributions of the particle pairs. The sensitivity to the interaction potential reaches a maximum at low relative momentum and vanishing distance between the two particles. Ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions at the LHC provide an abundant source of many hadron species and can be employed as a measurement method of scattering parameters that is complementary to scattering experiments. This study confirms that momentum correlations of particles produced in Pb–Pb collisions at the LHC provide an accurate measurement of kaon–proton scattering parameters at low relative momentum, allowing precise access to the K−p→K−p process. This work also validates the femtoscopic measurement in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions as an alternative to scattering experiments and a complementary tool to the study of exotic atoms with comparable precision. In this work, the first femtoscopic measurement of momentum correlations of K−p(K+p‾) and K+p(K−p‾) pairs in Pb–Pb collisions at centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sNN=5.02 TeV registered by the ALICE experiment is reported. The components of the K−p complex scattering length are extracted and found to be ℜf0=−0.91±0.03(stat)−0.03+0.17(syst) and ℑf0=0.92±0.05(stat)−0.33+0.12(syst). The results are compared with chiral effective field theory predictions as well as with existing data from dedicated scattering and exotic kaonic atom experiments.
We present a study of the inclusive charged-particle transverse momentum (pT) spectra as a function of charged-particle multiplicity density at mid-pseudorapidity, dNch/dη, in pp collisions at s√=5.02 and 13 TeV covering the kinematic range |η|<0.8 and 0.15<pT<20GeV/c. The results are presented for events with at least one charged particle in |η|<1 (INEL >0). The transverse momentum spectra are reported for two multiplicity estimators covering different pseudorapidity regions. While the pT spectra exhibit a strong dependence on multiplicity and center-of-mass energy, they show little energy dependence when normalized to the pT spectrum for INEL >0. The behavior of the multiplicity dependent spectra from intermediate to high transverse momentum (6<pT<20GeV/c) is parametrised by the exponent of a power-law function. Going from low to high average charged-particle density, the exponent decreases from ∼6 to ∼5. Moreover, the high-pT yields of charged particles increase faster than the charged-particle multiplicity density. The average pT as a function of multiplicity and transverse spherocity is reported for pp collisions at s√=13 TeV. For low- (high-) spherocity events, corresponding to jet-like (isotropic) events, the average pT is higher (smaller) than that measured in INEL >0 pp collisions. Within uncertainties, the functional form of ⟨pT⟩(Nch) is not affected by the spherocity selection. While EPOS LHC gives a good description of many features of data, PYTHIA overestimates the average pT in jet-like events. The observations are discussed in terms of multi-parton interactions with large momentum transfer and color reconnection.
We present a study of the inclusive charged-particle transverse momentum (pT) spectra as a function of charged-particle multiplicity density at mid-pseudorapidity, dNch/dη, in pp collisions at s√ = 5.02 and 13 TeV covering the kinematic range |η|<0.8 and 0.15<pT<20 GeV/c. The results are presented for events with at least one charged particle in |η|<1 (INEL>0). The pT spectra are reported for two multiplicity estimators covering different pseudorapidity regions. The pT spectra normalized to that for INEL >0 show little energy dependence. Moreover, the high-pT yields of charged particles increase faster than the charged-particle multiplicity density. The average pT as a function of multiplicity and transverse spherocity is reported for pp collisions at s√=13 TeV. For low- (high-) spherocity events, corresponding to jet-like (isotropic) events, the average pT is higher (smaller) than that measured in INEL >0 pp collisions. Within uncertainties, the functional form of ⟨pT⟩(Nch) is not affected by the spherocity selection. While EPOS LHC gives a good description of many features of data, PYTHIA overestimates the average pT in jet-like events.
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.
The production of K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) mesons in proton-proton (pp) and lead-lead (Pb-Pb) collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV has been measured using the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The transverse momentum (pT) distributions of K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) mesons have been measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) up to pT=20 GeV/c in inelastic pp collisions and for several Pb-Pb collision centralities. The collision centrality and collision energy dependence of the average transverse momenta agree with the radial flow scenario observed with stable hadrons, showing that the effect is stronger for more central collisions and higher collision energies. The K∗0/K ratio is found to be suppressed in Pb-Pb collisions relative to pp collisions: this indicates a loss of the measured K∗(892)0 signal due to rescattering of its decay products in the hadronic phase. In contrast, for the longer-lived ϕ(1020) mesons, no such suppression is observed. The nuclear modification factors (RAA) of K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) mesons are calculated using pp reference spectra at the same collision energy. In central Pb-Pb collisions for pT>8 GeV/c, the RAA values of K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) are below unity and observed to be similar to those of pions, kaons, and (anti)protons. The RAA values at high pT for K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) mesons are in agreement within uncertainties for sNN−−−√=5.02 and 2.76 TeV.
The production of K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) mesons in proton-proton (pp) and lead-lead (Pb-Pb) collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV has been measured using the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The transverse momentum (pT) distributions of K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) mesons have been measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) up to pT=20 GeV/c in inelastic pp collisions and for several Pb-Pb collision centralities. The collision centrality and collision energy dependence of the average transverse momenta agree with the radial flow scenario observed with stable hadrons, showing that the effect is stronger for more central collisions and higher collision energies. The K∗0/K ratio is found to be suppressed in Pb-Pb collisions relative to pp collisions: this indicates a loss of the measured K∗(892)0 signal due to rescattering of its decay products in the hadronic phase. In contrast, for the longer-lived ϕ(1020) mesons, no such suppression is observed. The nuclear modification factors (RAA) of K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) mesons are calculated using pp reference spectra at the same collision energy. In central Pb-Pb collisions for pT>8 GeV/c, the RAA values of K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) are below unity and observed to be similar to those of pions, kaons, and (anti)protons. The RAA values at high pT (>~8 GeV/c) for K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) mesons are in agreement within uncertainties for sNN−−−√=5.02 and 2.76 TeV.
Measurements of event-by-event fluctuations of charged-particle multiplicities in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 2.76 TeV using the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are presented in the pseudorapidity range |η|<0.8 and transverse momentum 0.2<pT<2.0 GeV/c. The amplitude of the fluctuations is expressed in terms of the variance normalized by the mean of the multiplicity distribution. The η and pT dependences of the fluctuations and their evolution with respect to collision centrality are investigated. The multiplicity fluctuations tend to decrease from peripheral to central collisions. The results are compared to those obtained from HIJING and AMPT Monte Carlo event generators as well as to experimental data at lower collision energies. Additionally, the measured multiplicity fluctuations are discussed in the context of the isothermal compressibility of the high-density strongly-interacting system formed in central Pb-Pb collisions.
In quantum scattering processes between two particles, aspects characterizing the strong and Coulomb forces can be observed in kinematic distributions of the particle pairs. The sensitivity to the interaction potential reaches a maximum at low relative momentum and vanishing distance between the two particles. Ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions at the LHC provide an abundant source of many hadron species and can be employed as a measurement method of scattering parameters that is complementary to scattering experiments. This study confirms that momentum correlations of particles produced in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC provide an accurate measurement of kaon-proton scattering parameters at low relative momentum, allowing precise access to the K−p→K−p process. This work also validates the femtoscopic measurement in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions as an alternative to scattering experiments and a complementary tool to the study of exotic atoms with comparable precision. In this work, the first femtoscopic measurement of momentum correlations of K−p (K+p¯¯¯) and K+p(K−p¯¯¯) pairs in Pb-Pb collisions at centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV registered by the ALICE experiment is reported. The components of the K−p complex scattering length are extracted and found to be Rf0=−0.91± 0.03(stat)+0.17−0.03(syst) and If0=0.92± 0.05(stat)+0.12−0.33(syst). The results are compared with chiral effective field theory predictions as well as with existing data from dedicated scattering and exotic kaonic atom experiments.
The interaction of Λ and Σ hyperons (Y) with nucleons (N) is strongly influenced by the coupled-channel dynamics. Due to the small mass difference of the NΛ and NΣ systems, the coupling strength of the NΣ↔NΛ processes is non-negligible and constitutes a crucial element in the determination of the NΛ interaction. In this letter we present the most precise measurements on the interaction of pΛ pairs, from zero relative momentum up to the opening of the NΣ channel. The correlation function in the relative momentum space for pΛ⊕p¯¯¯Λ¯¯¯¯ pairs measured in high-multiplicity triggered pp collisions at s√ = 13 TeV at the LHC is reported. The opening of the inelastic NΣ channels is visible in the extracted correlation function as a cusp-like structure occurring at relative momentum k∗ = 289 MeV/c. This represents the first direct experimental observation of the NΣ→NΛ coupled channel in the pΛ system. The correlation function is compared with recent chiral effective field theory calculations, based on different strengths of the NΣ↔NΛ transition potential. A weaker coupling, as possibly supported by the present measurement, would require a more repulsive three-body NNΛ interaction for a proper description of the Λ in-medium properties, which has implications on the nuclear equation of state and for the presence of hyperons inside neutron stars.
The interaction of Λ and Σ hyperons (Y) with nucleons (N) is strongly influenced by the coupled-channel dynamics. Due to the small mass difference of the NΛ and NΣ systems, the sizeable coupling strength of the NΣ↔NΛ processes constitutes a crucial element in the determination of the NΛ interaction. In this letter we present the most precise measurements on the interaction of pΛ pairs, from zero relative momentum up to the opening of the NΣ channel. The correlation function in the relative momentum space for pΛ⊕p¯¯¯Λ¯¯¯¯ pairs measured in high-multiplicity triggered pp collisions at s√ = 13 TeV at the LHC is reported. The opening of the inelastic NΣ channels is visible in the extracted correlation function as a cusp-like structure occurring at relative momentum k∗ = 289 MeV/c. This represents the first direct experimental observation of the NΣ→NΛ coupled channel in the pΛ system. The correlation function is compared with recent chiral effective field theory calculations, based on different strengths of the NΣ↔NΛ transition potential. A weaker coupling, as possibly supported by the present measurement, would require a more repulsive three-body NNΛ interaction for a proper description of the Λ in-medium properties, which has implications on the nuclear equation of state and for the presence of hyperons inside neutron stars.
The first measurement of the dependence on |t|, the square of the momentum transferred between the incoming and outgoing target nucleus, of coherent J/ψ photoproduction is presented. The data were measured with the ALICE detector in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV with the J/ψ produced in the central rapidity region |y|<0.8, which corresponds to the small Bjorken-x range (0.3−1.4)×10−3.
The measured |t|-dependence is not described by computations based only on the Pb nuclear form factor, while the photonuclear cross section is better reproduced by models including shadowing according to the leading-twist approximation, or gluon-saturation effects from the impact-parameter dependent Balitsky-Kovchegov equation. This new observable is therefore a valid tool to constrain the relevant model parameters and to investigate the transverse gluonic structure at very low Bjorken-x.
The first measurement of the cross section for coherent J/ψ photoproduction as a function of |t|, the square of the momentum transferred between the incoming and outgoing target nucleus, is presented. The data were measured with the ALICE detector in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV with the J/ψ produced in the central rapidity region |y|<0.8, which corresponds to the small Bjorken-x range (0.3−1.4)×10−3. The measured |t|-dependence is not described by computations based only on the Pb nuclear form factor, while the photonuclear cross section is better reproduced by models including shadowing according to the leading-twist approximation, or gluon-saturation effects from the impact-parameter dependent Balitsky-Kovchegov equation. These new results are therefore a valid tool to constrain the relevant model parameters and to investigate the transverse gluonic structure at very low Bjorken-x.
The transverse momentum (pT) differential cross section of the charm-strange baryon Ξ0c is measured at midrapidity (|y|< 0.5) via its semileptonic decay into e+Ξ−νe in pp collisions at s√ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The ratio of the pT-differential Ξ0c-baryon and D0-meson production cross sections is also reported. The measurements are compared with simulations with different tunes of the PYTHIA 8 event generator, with predictions from a statistical hadronisation model (SHM) with a largely augmented set of charm-baryon states beyond the current lists of the Particle Data Group, and with models including hadronisation via quark coalescence. The pT-integrated cross section of prompt Ξ0c-baryon production at midrapidity is also reported, which is used to calculate the baryon-to-meson ratio Ξ0c/D0=0.20±0.04 (stat.)+0.08−0.07 (syst.). These results provide an additional indication of a modification of the charm fragmentation from e+e− and e−p collisions to pp collisions.
The transverse momentum (pT) differential cross section of the charm-strange baryon Ξ0c is measured at midrapidity (|y|< 0.5) via its semileptonic decay into e+Ξ−νe in pp collisions at s√ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The ratio of the pT-differential Ξ0c-baryon and D0-meson production cross sections is also reported. The measurements are compared with simulations with different tunes of the PYTHIA 8 event generator, with predictions from a statistical hadronisation model (SHM) with a largely augmented set of charm-baryon states beyond the current lists of the Particle Data Group, and with models including hadronisation via quark coalescence. The pT-integrated cross section of prompt Ξ0c-baryon production at midrapidity is also reported, which is used to calculate the baryon-to-meson ratio Ξ0c/D0=0.20±0.04 (stat.)+0.08−0.07 (syst.). These results provide an additional indication of a modification of the charm fragmentation from e+e− and e−p collisions to pp collisions.
Two-particle angular correlations are measured in high-multiplicity proton-proton collisions at s√=13 TeV by the ALICE Collaboration. The yields of particle pairs at short-(Δη ∼ 0) and long-range (1.6<|Δη|<1.8) in pseudorapidity are extracted on the near-side (Δφ ∼ 0). They are reported as a function of transverse momentum (pT) in the range 1<pT<4 GeV/c. Furthermore, the event-scale dependence is studied for the first time by requiring the presence of high-pT leading particles and jets for varying pT thresholds. The results demonstrate that the long-range "ridge" yield, possibly related to the collective behavior of the system, is present in events with high-pT processes. The magnitudes of the short- and long-range yields are found to grow with the event scale. The results are compared to EPOS LHC and PYTHIA 8 calculations, with and without string-shoving interactions. It is found that while both models describe the qualitative trends in the data, calculations from EPOS LHC show a better quantitative agreement, in particular for the pT and event-scale dependencies.
Two-particle angular correlations are measured in high-multiplicity proton-proton collisions at s√=13 TeV by the ALICE Collaboration. The yields of particle pairs at short-(Δη ∼ 0) and long-range (1.6<|Δη|<1.8) in pseudorapidity are extracted on the near-side (Δφ ∼ 0). They are reported as a function of transverse momentum (pT) in the range 1<pT<4 GeV/c. Furthermore, the event-scale dependence is studied for the first time by requiring the presence of high-pT leading particles and jets for varying pT thresholds. The results demonstrate that the long-range "ridge" yield, possibly related to the collective behavior of the system, is present in events with high-pT processes. The magnitudes of the short- and long-range yields are found to grow with the event scale. The results are compared to EPOS LHC and PYTHIA 8 calculations, with and without string-shoving interactions. It is found that while both models describe the qualitative trends in the data, calculations from EPOS LHC show a better quantitative agreement, in particular for the pT and event-scale dependencies.
Measurements of anisotropic flow coefficients (vn) and their cross-correlations using two- and multi-particle cumulant methods are reported in collisions of pp at s√=13 TeV, p-Pb at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV, Xe-Xe at sNN−−−√=5.44 TeV, and Pb-Pb at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV recorded with the ALICE detector. These measurements are performed as a function of multiplicity in the mid-rapidity region |η|<0.8 for the transverse momentum range 0.2<pT<3.0 GeV/c. An ordering of the coefficients v2>v3>v4 is found in pp and p-Pb collisions, similar to that seen in large collision systems, while a weak v2 multiplicity dependence is observed relative to nucleus--nucleus collisions in the same multiplicity range. Using the novel subevent method, v2 measured in pp and p-Pb collisions with four-particle cumulants is found to be compatible with that from six-particle cumulants. The symmetric cumulants SC(m,n) calculated with the subevent method which evaluate the correlation strength between v2n and v2m are also presented. The presented data, which add further support to the existence of long-range multi-particle azimuthal correlations in high multiplicity pp and p-Pb collisions, can neither be described by PYTHIA8 nor by IP-Glasma+MUSIC+UrQMD model calculations, and hence provide new insights into the understanding of collective effects in small collision systems.
Measurements of anisotropic flow coefficients (vn) and their cross-correlations using two- and multi-particle cumulant methods are reported in collisions of pp at s√=13 TeV, p-Pb at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV, Xe-Xe at sNN−−−√=5.44 TeV, and Pb-Pb at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV recorded with the ALICE detector. The multiplicity dependence of vn is studied in a very wide range from 20 to 3000 particles produced in the mid-rapidity region |η|<0.8 for the transverse momentum range 0.2<pT<3.0 GeV/c. An ordering of the coefficients v2>v3>v4 is found in pp and p-Pb collisions, similar to that seen in large collision systems, while a weak v2 multiplicity dependence is observed relative to nucleus-nucleus collisions in the same multiplicity range. Using a novel subevent method, v2 measured with four-particle cumulants is found to be compatible with that from six-particle cumulants in pp and p-Pb collisions. The magnitude of the correlation between v2n and v2m, evaluated with the symmetric cumulants SC(m,n) is observed to be positive at all multiplicities for v2 and v4, while for v2 and v3 it is negative and changes sign for multiplicities below 100, which may indicate a different vn fluctuation pattern in this multiplicity range. The observed long-range multi-particle azimuthal correlations in high multiplicity pp and p-Pb collisions can neither be described by PYTHIA 8 nor by IP-Glasma+MUSIC+UrQMD model calculations, and hence provide new insights into the understanding of collective effects in small collision systems.
Measurements of anisotropic flow coefficients (vn) and their cross-correlations using two- and multi-particle cumulant methods are reported in collisions of pp at s√=13 TeV, p-Pb at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV, Xe-Xe at sNN−−−√=5.44 TeV, and Pb-Pb at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV recorded with the ALICE detector. These measurements are performed as a function of multiplicity in the mid-rapidity region |η|<0.8 for the transverse momentum range 0.2<pT<3.0 GeV/c. An ordering of the coefficients v2>v3>v4 is found in pp and p-Pb collisions, similar to that seen in large collision systems, while a weak v2 multiplicity dependence is observed relative to nucleus--nucleus collisions in the same multiplicity range. Using the novel subevent method, v2 measured in pp and p-Pb collisions with four-particle cumulants is found to be compatible with that from six-particle cumulants. The symmetric cumulants SC(m,n) calculated with the subevent method which evaluate the correlation strength between v2n and v2m are also presented. The presented data, which add further support to the existence of long-range multi-particle azimuthal correlations in high multiplicity pp and p-Pb collisions, can neither be described by PYTHIA8 nor by IP-Glasma+MUSIC+UrQMD model calculations, and hence provide new insights into the understanding of collective effects in small collision systems.
Femtoscopic correlation functions were measured for pp¯¯¯, pΛ¯¯¯¯⊕p¯¯¯Λ, and ΛΛ¯¯¯¯ pairs, as a function of collision centrality, in Pb−Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=2.76 TeV and sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV recorded by the ALICE experiment at the LHC. A simultaneous fit to all obtained correlation functions was performed, maximising the precision and sensitivity to the strong interaction parameters for the selected baryon pairs. Real and imaginary components of the scattering lengths, as well as the effective ranges, were extracted for combined pΛ¯¯¯¯⊕p¯¯¯Λ pairs and, for the first time, for ΛΛ¯¯¯¯ pairs. Effective averaged scattering parameters for heavier baryon−anti-baryon pairs, not measured directly, are also provided. The results reveal similarly strong interaction between measured baryon−anti-baryon pairs, suggesting that they annihilate in the same manner as pp¯¯¯ at the same pair relative momentum k∗. Moreover, the reported significant non-zero imaginary part and negative real part of the scattering length open up a possibility for future baryon−anti-baryon bound state searches.
Two-particle correlation functions were measured for pp¯¯¯, pΛ¯¯¯¯, p¯¯¯Λ, and ΛΛ¯¯¯¯ pairs in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=2.76 TeV and sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV recorded by the ALICE detector. From a simultaneous fit to all obtained correlation functions, real and imaginary components of the scattering lengths, as well as the effective ranges, were extracted for combined pΛ¯¯¯¯ and p¯¯¯Λ pairs and, for the first time, for ΛΛ¯¯¯¯ pairs. Effective averaged scattering parameters for heavier baryon-antibaryon pairs, not measured directly, are also provided. The results reveal similarly strong interaction between measured baryon-antibaryon pairs, suggesting that they all annihilate in the same manner at the same pair relative momentum k∗. Moreover, the reported significant non-zero imaginary part and negative real part of the scattering length provide motivation for future baryon-antibaryon bound state searches.
Two-particle correlation functions were measured for pp¯¯¯, pΛ¯¯¯¯, p¯¯¯Λ, and ΛΛ¯¯¯¯ pairs in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=2.76 TeV and sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV recorded by the ALICE detector. From a simultaneous fit to all obtained correlation functions, real and imaginary components of the scattering lengths, as well as the effective ranges, were extracted for combined pΛ¯¯¯¯ and p¯¯¯Λ pairs and, for the first time, for ΛΛ¯¯¯¯ pairs. Effective averaged scattering parameters for heavier baryon-antibaryon pairs, not measured directly, are also provided. The results reveal similarly strong interaction between measured baryon-antibaryon pairs, suggesting that they all annihilate in the same manner at the same pair relative momentum k∗. Moreover, the reported significant non-zero imaginary part and negative real part of the scattering length provide motivation for future baryon-antibaryon bound state searches.
Neutral pion and η meson production cross sections were measured up to unprecedentedly high transverse momenta (pT) in p-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 8.16 TeV. The mesons were reconstructed via their two-photon decay channel in the rapidity interval −1.3<y<0.3 in the ranges of 0.4<pT<200 GeV/c and 1.0<pT<50 GeV/c, respectively. The respective nuclear modification factor (RpPb) is presented for pT up to of 200 and 30 GeV/c, where the former was achieved extending the π0 measurement in pp collisions at s√ = 8 TeV. The values of RpPb are below unity for pT<10 GeV/c, while they are consistent with unity for pT>10 GeV/c. The new data provide constraints for nuclear parton distribution and fragmentation functions over a broad kinematic range and are compared to model predictions as well as previous results at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV.
Neutral pion and η meson production cross sections were measured up to unprecedentedly high transverse momenta (pT) in p-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 8.16 TeV. The mesons were reconstructed via their two-photon decay channel in the rapidity interval −1.3<y<0.3 in the ranges of 0.4<pT<200 GeV/c and 1.0<pT<50 GeV/c, respectively. The respective nuclear modification factor (RpPb) is presented for pT up to of 200 and 30 GeV/c, where the former was achieved extending the π0 measurement in pp collisions at s√ = 8 TeV. The values of RpPb are below unity for pT<10 GeV/c, while they are consistent with unity for pT>10 GeV/c. The new data provide constraints for nuclear parton distribution and fragmentation functions over a broad kinematic range and are compared to model predictions as well as previous results at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV.
Neutral pion (π0) and η meson production cross sections were measured up to unprecedentedly high transverse momenta (pT) in p-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 8.16 TeV. The mesons were reconstructed via their two-photon decay channel in the rapidity interval −1.3<y<0.3 in the ranges of 0.4<pT<200 GeV/c and 1.0<pT<50 GeV/c, respectively. The respective nuclear modification factor (RpPb) is presented for pT up to of 200 and 30 GeV/c, where the former was achieved by extending the π0 measurement in pp collisions at s√ = 8 TeV using the merged cluster technique. The values of RpPb are below unity for pT<10 GeV/c, while they are consistent with unity for pT>10 GeV/c, leaving essentially no room for final state energy loss. The new data provide strong constraints for nuclear parton distribution and fragmentation functions over a broad kinematic range and are compared to model predictions as well as previous results at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV.
The coherent photoproduction of J/ψ and ψ′ mesons was measured in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector. Charmonia are detected in the central rapidity region for events where the hadronic interactions are strongly suppressed. The J/ψ is reconstructed using the dilepton (l+l−) and proton-antiproton decay channels, while for the ψ′, the dilepton and the l+l−π+π− decay channels are studied. The analysis is based on an event sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 233 μb−1. The results are compared with theoretical models for coherent J/ψ and ψ′ photoproduction. The coherent cross section is found to be in a good agreement with models incorporating moderate nuclear gluon shadowing of about 0.65 at a Bjorken-x of around 6×10−4, such as the EPS09 parametrization, however none of the models is able to fully describe the rapidity dependence of the coherent J/ψ cross section including ALICE measurements at forward rapidity. The ratio of ψ′ to J/ψ coherent photoproduction cross sections was also measured and found to be consistent with the one for photoproduction off protons.
This Letter presents the first experimental evidence of the attractive strong interaction between a proton and a ϕ meson. The result is obtained from two-particle correlations of combined p-ϕ⊕p¯¯¯-ϕ pairs measured in high-multiplicity pp collisions at s√ = 13 TeV by the ALICE collaboration. The spin-averaged scattering length and effective range of the p-ϕ interaction are extracted from the fully corrected correlation function employing the Lednický-Lyuboshits approach. In particular, the imaginary part of the scattering length vanishes within uncertainties, indicating that inelastic processes do not play a prominent role for the p-ϕ interaction. These data demonstrate that the interaction is dominated by elastic p-ϕ scattering. Furthermore, an analysis employing phenomenological Gaussian- and Yukawa-type potentials is conducted. Under the assumption of the latter, the N-ϕ coupling constant is found to be gN−ϕ=0.14±0.03(stat.)±0.02(syst.). This work provides valuable experimental input to accomplish a self-consistent description of the N-ϕ interaction, which is particularly relevant for the more fundamental studies on partial restoration of chiral symmetry in nuclear medium.
Annihilation dynamics plays a fundamental role in the baryon−antibaryon interaction (B−B¯¯¯¯) at low-energy and its strength and range are crucial in the assessment of possible baryonic bound states. Experimental data on annihilation cross sections are available for the p−p¯¯¯ system but not in the low relative momentum region. Data regarding the B−B¯¯¯¯ interaction with strange degrees of freedom are extremely scarce, hence the modeling of the annihilation contributions is mainly based on nucleon−antinucleon (N−N¯¯¯¯) results, when available. In this letter we present a measurement of the p−p¯¯¯, p−Λ¯¯¯¯⊕p¯¯¯−Λ and Λ−Λ¯¯¯¯ interaction using correlation functions in the relative momentum space in high-multiplicity triggered pp collisions at s√=13 TeV recorded by ALICE at the LHC. In the p−p¯¯¯ system the couplings to the mesonic channels in different partial waves are extracted by adopting a coupled-channel approach with recent χEFT potentials. The inclusion of these inelastic channels provides good agreement with the data, showing a significant presence of the annihilation term down to zero momentum. Predictions obtained using the Lednický−Lyuboshits formula and scattering parameters obtained from heavy-ion collisions, hence mainly sensitive to elastic processes, are compared with the experimental p−Λ¯¯¯¯⊕p¯¯¯−Λ and Λ−Λ¯¯¯¯ correlations. The model describes the Λ−Λ¯¯¯¯ data and underestimates the p−Λ¯¯¯¯⊕p¯¯¯−Λ data in the region of momenta below 200 MeV/c. The observed deviation indicates a different contribution of annihilation channels to the two systems containing strange hadrons.
Recent pT-integrated cross section measurements of the ground-state charm mesons and baryons, D0, D+, D+s, Λ+c, and Ξ0c, are used to evaluate the charm fragmentation fractions and production cross section per unit of rapidity at midrapidity (|y|<0.5), in pp collisions at s√=5.02 TeV at the LHC. The latter is dσcc¯¯¯/dy||y|<0.5 =1165 ±44(stat)+134−101(syst) μb. These measurements were obtained for the first time in hadronic collisions at the LHC including the charm baryon states, recently measured by ALICE at midrapidity. The charm fragmentation fractions differ significantly from the values measured in e+e− and ep collisions, providing evidence of the dependence of the parton-to-hadron fragmentation fractions on the collision system, indicating that the assumption of their universality is not supported by the measured cross sections. An increase of a factor of about 3.3 for the fragmentation fraction for the Λ+c with a significance of 5σ between the values obtained in pp collisions and those obtained in e+e− (ep) collisions is reported. The fragmentation fraction for the Ξ0c was obtained for the first time in any collision system. The measured fragmentation fractions were used to update the cc¯¯ cross sections per unit of rapidity at |y|<0.5 at s√=2.76 and 7 TeV, which are about 40% higher than the previously published results. The data were compared with perturbative-QCD calculations and lie at the upper edge of the theoretical bands.
The pT-differential production cross sections of prompt D0, Λ+c, and Σ0,++c(2455) charmed hadrons are measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) in pp collisions at s√=13 TeV. This is the first measurement of Σ0,++c production in hadronic collisions. Assuming the same production yield for the three Σ0,+,++c isospin states, the baryon-to-meson cross-section ratios Σ0,+,++c/D0 and Λ+c/D0 are calculated in the transverse momentum (pT) intervals 2<pT<12 GeV/c and 1<pT<24 GeV/c. Values significantly larger than in e+e− collisions are observed, indicating for the first time that baryon enhancement in hadronic collisions also extends to the Σc. The feed-down contribution to Λ+c production from Σ0,+,++c is also reported and is found to be larger than in e+e− collisions. The data are compared with predictions from event generators and other phenomenological models, providing a sensitive test of the different charm-hadronisation mechanisms implemented in the models.
The pT-differential production cross sections of prompt D0, Λ+c, and Σ0,++c(2455) charmed hadrons are measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) in pp collisions at s√=13 TeV. This is the first measurement of Σ0,++c production in hadronic collisions. Assuming the same production yield for the three Σ0,+,++c isospin states, the baryon-to-meson cross section ratios Σ0,+,++c/D0 and Λ+c/D0 are calculated in the transverse momentum (pT) intervals 2<pT<12 GeV/c and 1<pT<24 GeV/c. Values significantly larger than in e+e− collisions are observed, indicating for the first time that baryon enhancement in hadronic collisions also extends to the Σc. The feed-down contribution to Λ+c production from Σ0,+,++c is also reported and is found to be larger than in e+e− collisions. The data are compared with predictions from event generators and other phenomenological models, providing a sensitive test of the different charm-hadronisation mechanisms implemented in the models.
The pT-differential cross sections of prompt charm-strange baryons Ξ0c and Ξ+c were measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) in proton−proton (pp) collisions at a centre-of-mass energy s√=13 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The Ξ0c baryon was reconstructed via both the semileptonic decay (Ξ−e+νe) and the hadronic decay (Ξ−π+) channels. The Ξ+c baryon was reconstructed via the hadronic decay (Ξ−π+π+) channel. The branching-fraction ratio BR(Ξ0c→Ξ−e+νe)/BR(Ξ0c→Ξ−π+) = 1.38 ± 0.14 (stat) ± 0.22 (syst) was measured with a total uncertainty reduced by a factor of about 3 with respect to the current world average reported by the Particle Data Group. The transverse momentum (pT) dependence of the Ξ0c- and Ξ+c-baryon production relative to the D0-meson and to the Σ0,+,++c- and Λ+c-baryon production are reported. The baryon-to-meson ratio increases towards low pT up to a value of approximately 0.3. The measurements are compared with various models that take different hadronisation mechanisms into consideration. The results provide stringent constraints to these theoretical calculations and additional evidence that different processes are involved in charm hadronisation in electron−positron (e+e−) and hadronic collisions.
The pT-differential cross sections of prompt charm-strange baryons Ξ0c and Ξ+c were measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) in proton−proton (pp) collisions at a centre-of-mass energy s√=13 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The Ξ0c baryon was reconstructed via both the semileptonic decay (Ξ−e+νe) and the hadronic decay (Ξ−π+) channels. The Ξ+c baryon was reconstructed via the hadronic decay (Ξ−π+π+) channel. The branching-fraction ratio BR(Ξ0c→Ξ−e+νe)/BR(Ξ0c→Ξ−π+) = 1.38 ± 0.14 (stat) ± 0.22 (syst) was measured with a total uncertainty reduced by a factor of about 3 with respect to the current world average reported by the Particle Data Group. The transverse momentum (pT) dependence of the Ξ0c- and Ξ+c-baryon production relative to the D0-meson and to the Σ0,+,++c- and Λ+c-baryon production are reported. The baryon-to-meson ratio increases towards low pT up to a value of approximately 0.3. The measurements are compared with various models that take different hadronisation mechanisms into consideration. The results provide stringent constraints to these theoretical calculations and additional evidence that different processes are involved in charm hadronisation in electron−positron (e+e−) and hadronic collisions.
The pT-differential cross sections of prompt charm-strange baryons Ξ0c and Ξ+c were measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) in proton−proton (pp) collisions at a centre-of-mass energy s√=13 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The Ξ0c baryon was reconstructed via both the semileptonic decay (Ξ−e+νe) and the hadronic decay (Ξ−π+) channels. The Ξ+c baryon was reconstructed via the hadronic decay (Ξ−π+π+) channel. The branching-fraction ratio BR(Ξ0c→Ξ−e+νe)/BR(Ξ0c→Ξ−π+) = 1.38 ± 0.14 (stat) ± 0.22 (syst) was measured with a total uncertainty reduced by a factor of about 3 with respect to the current world average reported by the Particle Data Group. The transverse momentum (pT) dependence of the Ξ0c- and Ξ+c-baryon production relative to the D0-meson and to the Σ0,+,++c- and Λ+c-baryon production are reported. The baryon-to-meson ratio increases towards low pT up to a value of approximately 0.3. The measurements are compared with various models that take different hadronisation mechanisms into consideration. The results provide stringent constraints to these theoretical calculations and additional evidence that different processes are involved in charm hadronisation in electron−positron (e+e−) and hadronic collisions.
The ALICE Collaboration reports the first fully-corrected measurements of the N-subjettiness observable for track-based jets in heavy-ion collisions. This study is performed using data recorded in pp and Pb−Pb collisions at centre-of-mass energies of s√=7 TeV and sNN−−−√=2.76 TeV, respectively. In particular the ratio of 2-subjettiness to 1-subjettiness, τ2/τ1, which is sensitive to the rate of two-pronged jet substructure, is presented. Energy loss of jets traversing the strongly interacting medium in heavy-ion collisions is expected to change the rate of two-pronged substructure relative to vacuum. The results are presented for jets with a resolution parameter of R=0.4 and charged jet transverse momentum of 40≤pT,jet≤60 GeV/c, which constitute a larger jet resolution and lower jet transverse momentum interval than previous measurements in heavy-ion collisions. This has been achieved by utilising a semi-inclusive hadron-jet coincidence technique to suppress the larger jet combinatorial background in this kinematic region. No significant modification of the τ2/τ1 observable for track-based jets in Pb−Pb collisions is observed relative to vacuum PYTHIA6 and PYTHIA8 references at the same collision energy. The measurements of τ2/τ1, together with the splitting aperture angle ΔR, are also performed in pp collisions at s√=7 TeV for inclusive jets. These results are compared with PYTHIA calculations at s√=7 TeV, in order to validate the model as a vacuum reference for the Pb−Pb centre-of-mass energy. The PYTHIA references for τ2/τ1 are shifted to larger values compared to the measurement in pp collisions. This hints at a reduction in the rate of two-pronged jets in Pb−Pb collisions compared to pp collisions.
Measurements of event-by-event fluctuations of charged-particle multiplicities in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 2.76 TeV using the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are presented in the pseudorapidity range |η|<0.8 and transverse momentum 0.2<pT<2.0 GeV/c. The amplitude of the fluctuations is expressed in terms of the variance normalized by the mean of the multiplicity distribution. The η and pT dependences of the fluctuations and their evolution with respect to collision centrality are investigated. The multiplicity fluctuations tend to decrease from peripheral to central collisions. The results are compared to those obtained from HIJING and AMPT Monte Carlo event generators as well as to experimental data at lower collision energies. Additionally, the measured multiplicity fluctuations are discussed in the context of the isothermal compressibility of the high-density strongly-interacting system formed in central Pb-Pb collisions.
This Letter presents the first experimental evidence of the attractive strong interaction between a proton and a ϕ meson. The result is obtained from two-particle correlations of combined p-ϕ⊕p¯¯¯-ϕ pairs measured in high-multiplicity pp collisions at s√ = 13 TeV by the ALICE collaboration. The spin-averaged scattering length and effective range of the p-ϕ interaction are extracted from the fully corrected correlation function employing the Lednický-Lyuboshits approach. In particular, the imaginary part of the scattering length vanishes within uncertainties, indicating that inelastic processes do not play a prominent role for the p-ϕ interaction. These data demonstrate that the interaction is dominated by elastic p-ϕ scattering. Furthermore, an analysis employing phenomenological Gaussian- and Yukawa-type potentials is conducted. Under the assumption of the latter, the N-ϕ coupling constant is found to be gN−ϕ=0.14±0.03(stat.)±0.02(syst.). This work provides valuable experimental input to accomplish a self-consistent description of the N-ϕ interaction, which is particularly relevant for the more fundamental studies on partial restoration of chiral symmetry in nuclear medium.
The production of ϕ mesons has been studied in pp collisions at LHC energies with the ALICE detector via the dimuon decay channel in the rapidity region 2.5<y<4. Measurements of the differential cross section d2σ/dydpT are presented as a function of the transverse momentum (pT) at the center-of-mass energies s√=5.02, 8 and 13 TeV and compared with the ALICE results at midrapidity. The differential cross sections at s√=5.02 and 13 TeV are also studied in several rapidity intervals as a function of pT, and as a function of rapidity in three pT intervals. A hardening of the pT-differential cross section with the collision energy is observed, while, for a given energy, pT spectra soften with increasing rapidity and, conversely, rapidity distributions get slightly narrower at increasing pT. The new results, complementing the published measurements at s√=2.76 and 7 TeV, allow one to establish the energy dependence of ϕ meson production and to compare the measured cross sections with phenomenological models. None of the considered models manages to describe the evolution of the cross section with pT and rapidity at all the energies.
The production of ϕ mesons has been studied in pp collisions at LHC energies with the ALICE detector via the dimuon decay channel in the rapidity region 2.5<y<4. Measurements of the differential cross section d2σ/dydpT are presented as a function of the transverse momentum (pT) at the center-of-mass energies s√=5.02, 8 and 13 TeV and compared with the ALICE results at midrapidity. The differential cross sections at s√=5.02 and 13 TeV are also studied in several rapidity intervals as a function of pT, and as a function of rapidity in three pT intervals. A hardening of the pT-differential cross section with the collision energy is observed, while, for a given energy, pT spectra soften with increasing rapidity and, conversely, rapidity distributions get slightly narrower at increasing pT. The new results, complementing the published measurements at s√=2.76 and 7 TeV, allow one to establish the energy dependence of ϕ meson production and to compare the measured cross sections with phenomenological models. None of the considered models manages to describe the evolution of the cross section with pT and rapidity at all the energies.
At particle collider experiments, elementary particle interactions with large momentum transfer produce quarks and gluons (known as partons) whose evolution is governed by the strong force, as described by the theory of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). The vacuum is not transparent to the partons and induces gluon radiation and quark pair production in a process that can be described as a parton shower. Studying the pattern of the parton shower is one of the key experimental tools in understanding the properties of QCD. This pattern is expected to depend on the mass of the initiating parton, through a phenomenon known as the dead-cone effect, which predicts a suppression of the gluon spectrum emitted by a heavy quark of mass m and energy E, within a cone of angular size m/E around the emitter. A direct observation of the dead-cone effect in QCD has not been possible until now, due to the challenge of reconstructing the cascading quarks and gluons from the experimentally accessible bound hadronic states. We report the first direct observation of the QCD dead-cone by using new iterative declustering techniques to reconstruct the parton shower of charm quarks. This result confirms a fundamental feature of QCD, which is derived more generally from its origin as a gauge quantum field theory. Furthermore, the measurement of a dead-cone angle constitutes a direct experimental observation of the non-zero mass of the charm quark, which is a fundamental constant in the standard model of particle physics.
In particle collider experiments, elementary particle interactions with large momentum transfer produce quarks and gluons (known as partons) whose evolution is governed by the strong force, as described by the theory of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). These partons subsequently emit further partons in a process that can be described as a parton shower which culminates in the formation of detectable hadrons. Studying the pattern of the parton shower is one of the key experimental tools for testing QCD. This pattern is expected to depend on the mass of the initiating parton, through a phenomenon known as the dead-cone effect, which predicts a suppression of the gluon spectrum emitted by a heavy quark of mass mQ and energy E, within a cone of angular size mQ/E around the emitter. Previously, a direct observation of the dead-cone effect in QCD had not been possible, owing to the challenge of reconstructing the cascading quarks and gluons from the experimentally accessible hadrons. We report the direct observation of the QCD dead cone by using new iterative declustering techniques to reconstruct the parton shower of charm quarks. This result confirms a fundamental feature of QCD. Furthermore, the measurement of a dead-cone angle constitutes a direct experimental observation of the non-zero mass of the charm quark, which is a fundamental constant in the standard model of particle physics.
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 production of K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) mesons in proton-proton (pp) and lead-lead (Pb-Pb) collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV has been measured using the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The transverse momentum (pT) distributions of K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) mesons have been measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) up to pT=20 GeV/c in inelastic pp collisions and for several Pb-Pb collision centralities. The collision centrality and collision energy dependence of the average transverse momenta agree with the radial flow scenario observed with stable hadrons, showing that the effect is stronger for more central collisions and higher collision energies. The K∗0/K ratio is found to be suppressed in Pb-Pb collisions relative to pp collisions: this indicates a loss of the measured K∗(892)0 signal due to rescattering of its decay products in the hadronic phase. In contrast, for the longer-lived ϕ(1020) mesons, no such suppression is observed. The nuclear modification factors (RAA) of K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) mesons are calculated using pp reference spectra at the same collision energy. In central Pb-Pb collisions for pT>8 GeV/c, the RAA values of K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) are below unity and observed to be similar to those of pions, kaons, and (anti)protons. The RAA values at high pT (>~8 GeV/c) for K∗(892)0 and ϕ(1020) mesons are in agreement within uncertainties for sNN−−−√=5.02 and 2.76 TeV.