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Aggarwal, M. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Aggarwal, M. M..

At least 91 records · Page 5

Measurements of dihadron correlations relative to the event plane in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} =200$ GeV*

Dihadron azimuthal correlations containing a high transverse momentum ($ p_{T} $) trigger particle are sensitive to the properties of the nuclear medium created at RHIC through the strong interactions occurring between the traversing parton and the medium, i.e. jet-quenching. Previous measurements revealed a strong modification to dihadron azimuthal correlations in Au+Au collisions with respect to p+p and d+Au collisions. The modification increases with the collision centrality, suggesting a path-length or energy density dependence to the jet-quenching effect. This paper reports STAR measurements of dihadron azimuthal correlations in mid-central (20%-60%) Au+Au collisions at $ \sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}} = 200 $ GeV as a function of the trigger particle's azimuthal angle relative to the event plane, $ \phi_{s} = | \phi_{t}- \psi_{{\rm{EP}}}| $. The azimuthal correlation is studied as a function of both the trigger and associated particle $ p_{T} $. The subtractions of the combinatorial background and anisotropic flow, assuming Zero Yield At Minimum (ZYAM), are described. The correlation results are first discussed with subtraction of the even harmonic (elliptic and quadrangular) flow backgrounds. The away-side correlation is strongly modified, and the modification varies with $ \phi_{s} $, with a double-peak structure for out-of-plane trigger particles. The near-side ridge (long range pseudo-rapidity $ \Delta\eta $ correlation) appears to drop with increasing $ \phi_{s} $ while the jet-like component remains approximately constant. The correlation functions are further studied with the subtraction of odd harmonic triangular flow background arising from fluctuations. It is found that the triangular flow, while responsible for the majority of the amplitudes, is not sufficient to explain the $ \phi_{s} $-dependence of the ridge or the away-side double-peak structure. The dropping ridge with $ \phi_{s} $ could be attributed to a $ \phi_{s} $-dependent elliptic anisotropy; however, the physics mechanism of the ridge remains an open question. Even with a $ \phi_{s} $-dependent elliptic flow, the away-side correlation structure is robust. These results, with extensive systematic studies of the dihadron correlations as a function of $ \phi_{s} $, trigger and associated particle $ p_{T} $, and the pseudo-rapidity range $ \Delta\eta $, should provide stringent inputs to help understand the underlying physics mechanisms of jet-medium interactions in high energy nuclear collisions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Flow and interferometry results from Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 4.5 GeV

In this study, the beam energy scan (BES) program at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) was extended to energies below $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 7.7 GeV in 2015 by successful implementation of the fixed-target mode of operation in the STAR (Solenoidal Tracker At RHIC) experiment. In this mode, ions circulate in one ring of the collider and interact with a stationary target at the entrance of the STAR Time Projection Chamber. The first results for Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 4.5 GeV are presented, demonstrating good performance of all the relevant detector subsystems in fixed-target mode. Results presented here include directed and elliptic flow of identified hadrons, and radii from pion femtoscopy. The latter, together with recent HADES results, reveal a long-sought peak structure that may be caused by the system evolving through a first-order phase transition from quark-gluon plasma to the hadronic phase. Directed and elliptic flow for pions are presented for the first time at this beam energy. Pion and proton elliptic flow show behavior which hints at constituent quark scaling, and demonstrate that a definitive conclusion will be achievable using the full statistics of the on-going second phase of BES (BES-II). In particular, BES-II to date has recorded fixed-target data sets with two orders of magnitude more events at each of nine energies between $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 3.0 and 7.7 GeV.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Production of light-flavor hadrons in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}~=~7\text { and }\sqrt{s} = 13 \, \text { TeV} $

The production of \(\pi ^{\pm }\) , \(\mathrm{K}^{\pm }\) , \(\mathrm{K}^{0}_{S}\) , \(\mathrm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}\) , \(\mathrm{p}\) , \(\phi (1020)\) , \(\Lambda \) , \(\Xi ^{-}\) , \(\Omega ^{-}\) , and their antiparticles was measured in inelastic proton–proton (pp) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of \(\sqrt{s}\) = 13 TeV at midrapidity ( \(|y|<0.5\) ) as a function of transverse momentum ( \(p_{\mathrm{T}}\) ) using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. Furthermore, the single-particle \(p_{\mathrm{T}}\) distributions of \(\mathrm{K}^{0}_{S}\) , \(\Lambda \) , and \(\overline{\Lambda }\) in inelastic pp collisions at \(\sqrt{s} = 7\) TeV are reported here for the first time. The \(p_{\mathrm{T}}\) distributions are studied at midrapidity within the transverse momentum range \(0\le p_{\mathrm{T}}\le 20\) GeV/ c , depending on the particle species. The \(p_{\mathrm{T}}\) spectra, integrated yields, and particle yield ratios are discussed as a function of collision energy and compared with measurements at lower \(\sqrt{s}\) and with results from various general-purpose QCD-inspired Monte Carlo models. A hardening of the spectra at high \(p_{\mathrm{T}}\) with increasing collision energy is observed, which is similar for all particle species under study. The transverse mass and \(x_{\mathrm{T}}\equiv 2p_{\mathrm{T}}/\sqrt{s}\) scaling properties of hadron production are also studied. As the collision energy increases from \(\sqrt{s}\) = 7–13 TeV, the yields of non- and single-strange hadrons normalized to the pion yields remain approximately constant as a function of \(\sqrt{s}\) , while ratios for multi-strange hadrons indicate enhancements. The \(p_\mathrm{{T}}\) -differential cross sections of \(\pi ^{\pm }\) , \(\mathrm {K}^{\pm }\) and \(\mathrm {p}\) ( \(\overline{\mathrm{p}}\) ) are compared with next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations, which are found to overestimate the cross sections for \(\pi ^{\pm }\) and \(\mathrm{p}\) ( \(\overline{\mathrm{p}}\) ) at high \(p_\mathrm{{T}}\) .

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Nonmonotonic Energy Dependence of Net-Proton Number Fluctuations

Nonmonotonic variation with collision energy (√ s NN) of the moments of the net-baryon number distribution in heavy-ion collisions, related to the correlation length and the susceptibilities of the system, is suggested as a signature for the quantum chromodynamics critical point. Here, we report the first evidence of a nonmonotonic variation in the kurtosis times variance of the net-proton number (proxy for net-baryon number) distribution as a function of √ s NN with 3.1 σ significance for head-on (central) gold-on-gold (Au+Au) collisions measured solenoidal tracker at Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Data in noncentral Au+Au collisions and models of heavy-ion collisions without a critical point show a monotonic variation as a function of √ s NN.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

First measurement of quarkonium polarization in nuclear collisions at the LHC

The polarization of inclusive J/ψ and Υ(1S) produced in Pb–Pb collisions at √ s NN = 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 λ θ , λ φ and λ θφ are measured in the helicity and Collins-Soper reference frames, in the transverse momentum interval 2 < p T < 10 GeV/c and p T < 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 p T , for both reference frames and over the whole p T 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

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Centrality dependence of J /ψ and ψ (2S) production and nuclear modification in p-Pb collisions at \( \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} \) = 8 . 16 TeV

The inclusive production of the J/ ψ and ψ (2S) charmonium states is studied as a function of centrality in p-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair \( \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} \) = 8 . 16 TeV at the LHC. The measurement is performed in the dimuon decay channel with the ALICE apparatus in the centre-of-mass rapidity intervals – 4 . 46 < y cms < – 2 . 96 (Pb-going direction) and 2 . 03 < y cms < 3 . 53 (p-going direction), down to zero transverse momentum ( p T ). The J/ ψ and ψ (2S) production cross sections are evaluated as a function of the collision centrality, estimated through the energy deposited in the zero degree calorimeter located in the Pb-going direction. The p T -differential J/ ψ production cross section is measured at backward and forward rapidity for several centrality classes, together with the corresponding average \( \left\langle {p}_{\mathrm{T}}\right\rangle \) and \( \left\langle {p}_{\mathrm{T}}^2\right\rangle \) values. The nuclear effects affecting the production of both charmonium states are studied using the nuclear modification factor. In the p-going direction, a suppression of the production of both charmonium states is observed, which seems to increase from peripheral to central collisions. In the Pb-going direction, however, the centrality dependence is different for the two states: the nuclear modification factor of the J/ ψ increases from below unity in peripheral collisions to above unity in central collisions, while for the ψ (2S) it stays below or consistent with unity for all centralities with no significant centrality dependence. The results are compared with measurements in p-Pb collisions at \( \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} \) = 5 . 02 TeV and no significant dependence on the energy of the collision is observed. Finally, the results are compared with theoretical models implementing various nuclear matter effects.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Transverse-momentum and event-shape dependence of D-meson flow harmonics in Pb–Pb collisions at s NN = 5.02 TeV

The elliptic and triangular flow coefficients v 2 and v 3 of prompt D 0 , 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 s NN = 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 < p T < 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 v n harmonics are compatible within uncertainties with a mass hierarchy for p T ≲ 3 GeV / c , and are similar to those of charged pions for higher p T . 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 v 2 and p T -differential yields. The D-meson v 2 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.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Production of \(\omega \) mesons in pp collisions at \(\mathbf {\sqrt{s}=7\,\text {TeV}}\)

The invariant differential cross section of inclusive \(\omega (782)\) meson production at midrapidity ( \(|y|<0.5\) ) in pp collisions at \(\sqrt{s}=7\,\hbox {TeV}\) was measured with the ALICE detector at the LHC over a transverse momentum range of \(2< p_{\mathrm {T}}< 17\,\hbox {GeV}/c\) . The \(\omega \) meson was reconstructed via its \(\omega \rightarrow \pi ^+\pi ^-\pi ^0\) decay channel. The measured \(\omega \) production cross section is compared to various calculations: PYTHIA 8.2 Monash 2013 describes the data, while PYTHIA 8.2 Tune 4C overestimates the data by about 50%. A recent NLO calculation, which includes a model describing the fragmentation of the whole vector-meson nonet, describes the data within uncertainties below \(6\,\hbox {GeV}/c\) , while it overestimates the data by up to 50% for higher \(p_{\mathrm {T}}\) . The \(\omega /\pi ^0\) ratio is in agreement with previous measurements at lower collision energies and the PYTHIA calculations. In addition, the measurement is compatible with transverse mass scaling within the measured \(p_{\mathrm {T}}\) range and the ratio is constant with \(C^{\omega /\pi ^{0}}= 0.67 \pm 0.03 \text {~(stat)~} \pm 0.04 \text {~(sys)~}\) above a transverse momentum of \(2.5\,\hbox {GeV}/c\) .

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Dielectron production in proton-proton and proton-lead collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$=5.02TeV

The first measurements of dielectron production at midrapidity (|η e | < 0.8) in proton–proton and proton–lead collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 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 m ee and the pair transverse momentum p T,ee in the ranges mee < 3.5 GeV/c 2 and p T,ee < 8 GeV/c, 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 $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 and 13 TeV. The slope of the $\sqrt{s}$ 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 $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ via the dielectron nuclear modification factor R pPb . The measurements are compared to model calculations including cold nuclear matter effects, or additional sources of dielectrons from thermal radiation.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

J/ ψ elliptic and triangular flow in Pb-Pb collisions at \( \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} \) = 5 . 02 TeV

The inclusive J/ ψ elliptic ( v 2 ) and triangular ( v 3 ) flow coefficients measured at forward rapidity (2 . 5 < y < 4) and the v 2 measured at midrapidity (| y | < 0 . 9) in Pb-Pb collisions at \( \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} \) = 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 μ b – 1 at forward rapidity and 93 μ b – 1 at midrapidity. The results are obtained using the scalar product method and are reported as a function of transverse momentum p T and collision centrality. At midrapidity, the J/ ψ v 2 is in agreement with the forward rapidity measurement. The centrality averaged results indicate a positive J/ ψ v 3 with a significance of more than 5 σ at forward rapidity in the p T range 2 < p T < 5 GeV/ c . The forward rapidity v 2 , v 3 , and v 3 /v 2 results at low and intermediate p T ( p T ≲ 8 GeV/ c ) exhibit a mass hierarchy when compared to pions and D mesons, while converging into a species-independent curve at higher p T . At low and intermediate p T , the results could be interpreted in terms of a later thermalization of charm quarks compared to light quarks, while at high p T , path-length dependent effects seem to dominate. The J/ ψ v 2 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 v n measurements can be described based on those for charged pions and J/ ψ flow.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗