Engineering topics

Cebra, D. [University of California]

Publications and source records attributed to Cebra, D. [University of California].

14 records

DOE OSTI2026

Evidence of Spin-Interference Effects in Exclusive 𝐽/𝜓 → 𝑒 + ⁢𝑒 − Photoproduction in Ultraperipheral Heavy-Ion Collisions

Here, we report the first evidence of spin interference in exclusive 𝐽/𝜓 → 𝑒 + ⁢𝑒 − photoproduction in ultraperipheral heavy-ion collisions at STAR at $\sqrt{𝑠_{𝑁⁢𝑁}}$ = 200 GeV. In Au + Au collisions, a negative cos⁡(2⁢𝜙) modulation is found for 𝑝 𝑇 < 120 MeV/𝑐 with a significance of 3.2⁢𝜎, while the isobar data (Ru + Ru, Zr + Zr) show a consistent negative modulation with a significance of 1.9⁢𝜎, opposite in sign to that in 𝜌 0 → 𝜋 + ⁢𝜋 − photoproduction. This establishes for the first time that the interference sign is controlled by the spin structure of the final-state daughters, resolving the ambiguity present in the all-boson 𝜌 0 channel. The compact 𝐽/𝜓 probes gluon distributions at perturbative scales, resulting in a weaker modulation and providing stringent constraints on color glass condensate calculations. These findings demonstrate that spin-dependent interference in heavy vector mesons provides a new, experimentally accessible handle on gluon structure beyond traditional cross-section measurements.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Measurement of fifth- and sixth-order fluctuations of (net-)proton number in Au + Au collisions from phase II of the beam energy scan program at RHIC

We report high-statistics measurements of fifth- and sixth-order factorial cumulants and cumulant ratios of (net-)proton multiplicity distributions in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 7.7–27GeV, using data from the STAR experiment collected during the Beam Energy Scan Phase II at RHIC. Protons and antiprotons are identified at midrapidity (|𝑦| < 0.5) with transverse momentum 0.4 < 𝑝 𝑇 < 2.0GeV/𝑐. The proton factorial cumulants 𝜅 4 , 𝜅 5 , and 𝜅 6 increase with order but exhibit no sign alternation within current uncertainties, offering no evidence for a two-component structure in the proton multiplicity distribution, as might be expected near a first-order phase transition. The cumulant ratios 𝐶 5 /𝐶 1 and 𝐶 6 /𝐶 2 fluctuate around zero in collisions at 0–40% centrality. The results are consistent with both the negative predictions from lattice QCD and the positive trends obtained from the ultrarelativistic quantum molecular dynamics (UrQMD) model. At $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ ≳ 27GeV, the 𝐶 4 /𝐶 2 and 𝐶 5 /𝐶 1 results are compatible with predictions from lattice QCD, functional renormalization group (FRG), and hadron resonance gas (HRG) models, while UrQMD describes the data better at lower energies. Here, these measurements place constraints on baryon number fluctuations and offer valuable insights into the QCD phase structure.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Observation of Charmonium Sequential Suppression in Heavy-Ion Collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider

We report measurements of charmonium sequential suppression in Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ =200 GeV with the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The inclusive yield ratio of 𝜓⁡(2⁢S) to J/𝜓 as a function of transverse momentum is reported, along with the centrality dependence of the double ratio, defined as the 𝜓⁡(2⁢S) to J/𝜓 ratio in heavy-ion collisions relative to that in 𝑝 +𝑝 collisions. In the 0–80% centrality class, the double ratio is found to be 0.41±0.10 (stat)±0.03 (syst)±0.02 (ref), lower than unity with a significance of 5.6 standard deviations. This provides experimental evidence that 𝜓⁡(2⁢S) is significantly more suppressed than J/𝜓 in heavy-ion collisions at RHIC. This sequential suppression pattern seems to increase from peripheral to central collisions, but with no significant dependence on the transverse momentum.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Measurement of medium-induced acoplanarity in central Au-Au and 𝑝⁢𝑝 collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV using direct-photon + jet and 𝜋 0 + jet correlations

The STAR Collaboration reports measurements of acoplanarity using semi-inclusive distributions of charged-particle jets recoiling from direct photon and 𝜋 0 triggers, in central Au–Au and 𝑝⁢𝑝 collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV. Significant medium-induced acoplanarity broadening is observed for large but not small recoil jet resolution parameter, corresponding to recoil jet yield enhancement up to a factor of ≈ 20 for trigger-recoil azimuthal separation far from 𝜋. This phenomenology is indicative of the response of the quark-gluon plasma to excitation, but not the scattering of jets off of its quasiparticles. As a result, the measurements are not well described by current theoretical models which incorporate jet quenching.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Energy Independence of the Collins Asymmetry in 𝑝 ↑⁢ 𝑝 Collisions

The STAR experiment reports new, high-precision measurements of the transverse single-spin asymmetries for 𝜋 ± within jets, namely the Collins asymmetries, from transversely polarized 𝑝 ↑⁢ 𝑝 collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 510 GeV. The energy-scaled distribution of jet transverse momentum, 𝑥 T = 2⁢𝑝 T, jet /$\sqrt{s}$, shows a remarkable consistency for Collins asymmetries of 𝜋 ± in jets between $\sqrt{s}$ = 200 GeV and 510 GeV. This indicates that the Collins asymmetries are nearly energy independent, with, at most, a very weak scale dependence in 𝑝 ↑ ⁢𝑝 collisions. These results extend to high-momentum scales (𝑄 2 ≤ 3400 GeV 2 ) and enable unique tests of evolution and universality in the transverse-momentum-dependent formalism, thus providing important constraints for the Collins fragmentation functions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Precision Measurement of Net-Proton-Number Fluctuations in Au + Au Collisions at RHIC

We report precision measurements on cumulants (𝐶 𝑛 ) and factorial cumulants (𝜅 𝑛 ) of (net) proton number distributions up to fourth order in Au + Au collisions over center-of-mass energies $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 7.7–27 GeV from phase II of the Beam Energy Scan program at RHIC. (Anti)protons are selected at midrapidity (|𝑦| < 0.5) within a transverse momentum range of 0.4 < 𝑝 𝑇 < 2.0 GeV/𝑐. Relative to various noncritical-point model calculations and peripheral collision 70%–80% data, the net proton 𝐶 4 /𝐶 2 measurement in 0%–5% collisions shows a minimum around 19.6 GeV for significance of deviation at ∼2–5⁢𝜎. A minimum in 𝐶 4 /𝐶 2 with respect to a noncritical baseline is expected to be a characteristic feature of the signature associated with a critical point in the QCD phase diagram. In addition, deviations from noncritical baselines around the same collision energy region are also seen in proton factorial cumulant ratios, especially in 𝜅 2 /𝜅 1 and 𝜅 3 /𝜅 1 . As a result, dynamical model calculations including a critical point are called for in order to understand these precision measurements.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Measurement of Two-Point Energy Correlators within Jets in 𝑝 + 𝑝 Collisions at $\sqrt{𝑠}$ = 200 GeV

Hard-scattered partons ejected from high-energy proton-proton collisions undergo parton shower and hadronization, resulting in collimated collections of particles that are clustered into jets. A substructure observable that highlights the transition between the perturbative and nonperturbative regimes of jet evolution in terms of the angle between two particles is the two-point energy correlator (EEC). In this Letter, the first measurement of the EEC at RHIC is presented, using data taken from 200 GeV 𝑝 + 𝑝 collisions by the STAR experiment. The EEC is measured both for all the pairs of particles in jets and separately for pairs with like and opposite electric charges. These measurements demonstrate that the transition between perturbative and nonperturbative effects occurs within an angular region that is consistent with expectations of a universal hadronization regime that scales with jet momentum for a given initiator flavor. Additionally, a deviation from Monte Carlo predictions at small angles in the charge-selected sample could result from mechanics of hadronization not fully captured by current models.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Measurements of ϒ states production in 𝑝 + 𝑝 collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 500 GeV with STAR: Cross sections, ratios, and multiplicity dependence

We report measurements of ϒ⁡(1⁢𝑆), ϒ⁡(2⁢𝑆) and ϒ⁡(3⁢𝑆) production in 𝑝 + 𝑝 collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ =500 GeV by the STAR experiment in year 2011, corresponding to an integrated luminosity ℒ int = 13 pb −1 . The results provide precise cross sections, transverse momentum (𝑝 T ) and rapidity (𝑦) spectra, as well as cross section ratios for 𝑝 T < 10 GeV/c and |𝑦| < 1. The dependence of the ϒ yield on charged particle multiplicity has also been measured, offering new insights into the mechanisms of quarkonium production. The data are compared to various theoretical models: the color evaporation model (CEM) accurately describes the ϒ⁡(1⁢𝑆) production, while the color glass condensate+nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics (CGC+NRQCD) model overestimates the data, particularly at low 𝑝 T . Conversely, the color singlet model (CSM) underestimates the rapidity dependence. These discrepancies highlight the need for further development in understanding the production dynamics of heavy quarkonia in high-energy hadronic collisions. The trend in the multiplicity dependence is consistent with CGC/saturation and string percolation models or ϒ production happening in multiple parton interactions modeled by PYTHIA 8.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Onset of Constituent Quark Number Scaling in Heavy-Ion Collisions at RHIC

Partonic collectivity is one of the necessary signatures for the formation of quark-gluon plasma in high-energy nuclear collisions. Number of constituent quarks (NCQ) scaling has been observed for hadron elliptic flow 𝑣2 in top energy nuclear collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and the LHC, and this has been theoretically suggested as strong evidence for partonic collectivity. In this Letter, a systematic analysis of 𝑣 2 of 𝜋 ± , 𝐾 ± , 𝐾$^{0}_{𝑆}$, 𝑝, and Λ in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 3.2, 3.5, 3.9, and 4.5 GeV, with the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, is presented. NCQ scaling is markedly violated at 3.2 GeV, consistent with a hadronic-interaction dominated equation of state. However, as the collision energy increases, a gradual evolution to NCQ scaling is observed. In conclusion, this beam-energy dependence of 𝑣 2 for all hadrons studied provides evidence for the onset of dominant partonic interactions by $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 4.5 GeV.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Precision measurement of the longitudinal double-spin asymmetry for dijet production at intermediate pseudorapidity in polarized 𝑝⁢𝑝 collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 200 GeV

The STAR Collaboration reports precise measurements of the longitudinal double-spin asymmetry, 𝐴 𝐿⁢𝐿 , for dijet production with at least one jet at intermediate pseudorapidity 0.8 < 𝜂 jet < 1.8 in polarized proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 200 GeV. This study explores partons scattered with a longitudinal momentum fraction (𝑥) from 0.01 to 0.5, which are predominantly characterized by interactions between high-𝑥 valence quarks and low-𝑥 gluons. The results are in good agreement with previous measurements at 200 GeV with improved precision and are found to be consistent with the predictions of global analyses that find the gluon polarization to be positive. In contrast, the negative gluon polarization solution from the JAM Collaboration is found to be strongly disfavored.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Measurement of In-Medium Jet Modification Using Direct Photon + Jet and 𝜋 0 + Jet Correlations in 𝑝 + 𝑝 and Central Au + Au Collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV

The STAR Collaboration presents measurements of the semi-inclusive distribution of charged-particle jets recoiling from energetic direct-photon (𝛾 dir ) and neutral-pion (𝜋 0 ) triggers in 𝑝 + 𝑝 and central Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ =2 00 GeV over a broad kinematic range, for jet resolution parameters 𝑅 = 0.2 and 0.5. Medium-induced jet yield suppression is observed to be larger for 𝑅 = 0.2 than for 0.5, reflecting the angular range of jet energy redistribution due to quenching. The predictions of model calculations incorporating jet quenching are not fully consistent with the observations. Furthermore, these results provide new insight into the physical origins of jet quenching.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Energy dependence of polarized 𝛾⁢𝛾 → 𝑒 + ⁢ 𝑒− in peripheral Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 54.4 and 200 GeV with the STAR experiment at RHIC

We report the differential yields at mid-rapidity of the Breit-Wheeler process (𝛾⁢𝛾 → 𝑒 + ⁢𝑒 − ) in peripheral Au+Aucollisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 54.4 and 200 GeV with the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), as a function of energy $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$, 𝑒 + ⁢𝑒 − transverse momentum 𝑝 T , 𝑝$^{2}_{T}$, invariant mass 𝑀 𝑒⁢𝑒 , and azimuthal angle. In the invariant mass range of 0.4 < 𝑀 𝑒⁢𝑒 < 2.6GeV/𝑐 2 at low transverse momentum (𝑝 T < 0.15GeV/𝑐), the yields increase while the pair √⟨𝑝$^{2}_{T}$⟩ decreases with increasing $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$, a feature that is correctly predicted by the QED calculation. Here, the energy dependencies of the measured quantities are sensitive to the nuclear form factor, infrared divergence and photon polarization. The data are compiled and used to extract the charge radius of the Au nucleus.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Measurement of directed flow in Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s{NN}}$ = 19.6 and 27 GeV with the STAR event plane detector

In heavy-ion collision experiments, the global collectivity of final-state particles can be quantified by anisotropic flow coefficients (𝑣 𝑛 ) . The first-order flow coefficient, also referred to as the directed flow (𝑣 1 ), describes the collective sideward motion of produced particles and nuclear fragments in heavy-ion collisions. It carries information on the very early stage of the collision, especially at large pseudorapidity (𝜂), where it is believed to be generated during the nuclear passage time. Directed flow therefore probes the onset of bulk collective dynamics during thermalization, providing valuable experimental guidance to models of the pre-equilibrium stage. In 2018, the Event Plane Detector (EPD) was installed in STAR and used for the Beam Energy Scan phase-II (BES-II) data taking. The combination of EPD (2.1 < |𝜂| < 5.1) and high-statistics BES-II data enables us to extend the 𝑣 1 measurement to the forward and backward 𝜂 regions. In this paper, we present the measurement of 𝑣 1 over a wide 𝜂 range in Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 19.6 and 27 GeV using the STAR EPD. The results of the analysis at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 19.6 GeV exhibit excellent consistency with the previous PHOBOS measurement, while elevating the precision of the overall measurement. The increased precision of the measurement also revealed finer structures in heavy-ion collisions, including a potential observation of the first-order event-plane decorrelation. Multiple physics models were compared to the experimental results. Only a transport model and a three-fluid hybrid model can reproduce a sizable 𝑣 1 at large 𝜂 as was observed experimentally. The model comparison also indicates 𝑣 1 at large 𝜂 might be sensitive to the QGP phase transition.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Measurement of flow coefficients in high-multiplicity 𝑝 + Au, 𝑑 + Au, and 3 He + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV

Flow coefficients (𝑣 2 and 𝑣 3 ) are measured in high-multiplicity 𝑝 + Au, 𝑑 + Au, and 3 He + Au collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV using the STAR detector. The measurements utilize two-particle correlations with a pseudorapidity requirement of |𝜂| < 0.9 and a pair gap of |Δ⁢𝜂| > 1.0. The primary focus is on analysis methods, particularly the subtraction of nonflow contributions. Four established nonflow subtraction methods are applied to determine 𝑣 𝑛 , validated using the HIJING event generator. 𝑣 𝑛 values are compared across the three collision systems at similar multiplicities; this comparison cancels the final-state effects and isolates the impact of initial geometry. While 𝑣 2 values show differences among these collision systems, 𝑣 3 values are largely similar, consistent with expectations of subnucleon fluctuations in the initial geometry. The ordering of 𝑣 𝑛 differs quantitatively from previous measurements using two-particle correlations with a larger rapidity gap, which, according to model calculations, can be partially attributed to the effects of longitudinal flow decorrelations. As a result, the prospects for future measurements to improve our understanding of flow decorrelation and subnucleonic fluctuations are also discussed.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗