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ALICE Collaboration

Publications and source records attributed to ALICE Collaboration.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

$π^0$ and $η$ meson production in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=8$ TeV

An invariant differential cross section measurement of inclusive $π^{0}$ and $η$ meson production at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=8$ TeV was carried out by the ALICE experiment at the LHC. The spectra of $π^{0}$ and $η$ mesons were measured in transverse momentum ranges of $0.3 3.5$ GeV/$c$. However, a deviation from this empirical scaling rule is observed for transverse momenta below $p_{\rm T}<3.5$ GeV/$c$ in the $η/π^0$ ratio with a significance of $6.2σ$.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

Measurement of Z$^0$-boson production at large rapidities in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV

The production of Z$^0$ bosons at large rapidities in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV is reported. Z$^0$ candidates are reconstructed in the dimuon decay channel (${\rm Z}^0 \rightarrow μ^+μ^-$), based on muons selected with pseudo-rapidity $-4.0<η<-2.5$ and $p_{\rm T}>20$ GeV/$c$. The invariant yield and the nuclear modification factor, $R_{\rm AA}$, are presented as a function of rapidity and collision centrality. The value of $R_{\rm AA}$ for the 0-20% central Pb-Pb collisions is $0.67 \pm 0.11 \, \mbox{(stat.)} \, \pm 0.03 \, \mbox{(syst.)} \, \pm 0.06 \, \mbox{(corr. syst.)}$, exhibiting a deviation of $2.6 σ$ from unity. The results are well-described by calculations that include nuclear modifications of the parton distribution functions, while the predictions using vacuum PDFs deviate from data by $2.3σ$ in the 0-90% centrality class and by $3σ$ in the 0-20% central collisions.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

Search for collectivity with azimuthal J/$ψ$-hadron correlations in high multiplicity p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 and 8.16 TeV

We present a measurement of azimuthal correlations between inclusive J/$ψ$ and charged hadrons in p-Pb collisions recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. The J/$ψ$ are reconstructed at forward (p-going, 2.03 $<$ y $<$ 3.53) and backward (Pb-going, $-$4.46 $<$ y $<$ $-$2.96) rapidity via their $μ^+μ^-$ decay channel, while the charged hadrons are reconstructed at mid-rapidity ($|η|$ $<$ 1.8). The correlations are expressed in terms of associated charged-hadron yields per J/$ψ$ trigger. A rapidity gap of at least 1.5 units is required between the trigger J/$ψ$ and the associated charged hadrons. Possible correlations due to collective effects are assessed by subtracting the associated per-trigger yields in the low-multiplicity collisions from those in the high-multiplicity collisions. After the subtraction, we observe a strong indication of remaining symmetric structures at $Δφ$ $\approx$ 0 and $Δφ$ $\approx$ $π$, similar to those previously found in two-particle correlations at middle and forward rapidity. The corresponding second-order Fourier coefficient ($v_2$) in the transverse momentum interval between 3 and 6 GeV/$c$ is found to be positive with a significance of about 5$σ$. The obtained results are similar to the J/$ψ$ $v_2$ coefficients measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV, suggesting a common mechanism at the origin of the J/$ψ$ $v_2$.

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arXiv2018

D-meson azimuthal anisotropy in mid-central Pb-Pb collisions at $\mathbf{\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02}$ TeV

The azimuthal anisotropy coefficient $v_2$ of prompt D$^0$, D$^+$, D$^{*+}$ and D$_s^+$ mesons was measured in mid-central (30-50% centrality class) Pb-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV, with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The D mesons were reconstructed via their hadronic decays at mid-rapidity, $|y|<0.8$, in the transverse momentum interval $1<p_{\rm T}<24$ GeV/$c$. The measured D-meson $v_2$ has similar values as that of charged pions. The D$_s^+$ $v_2$, measured for the first time, is found to be compatible with that of non-strange D mesons. The measurements are compared with theoretical calculations of charm-quark transport in a hydrodynamically expanding medium and have the potential to constrain medium parameters.

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arXiv2018

Combining Difficulty Ranking with Multi-Armed Bandits to Sequence Educational Content

As e-learning systems become more prevalent, there is a growing need for them to accommodate individual differences between students. This paper addresses the problem of how to personalize educational content to students in order to maximize their learning gains over time. We present a new computational approach to this problem called MAPLE (Multi-Armed Bandits based Personalization for Learning Environments) that combines difficulty ranking with multi-armed bandits. Given a set of target questions MAPLE estimates the expected learning gains for each question and uses an exploration-exploitation strategy to choose the next question to pose to the student. It maintains a personalized ranking over the difficulties of question in the target set which is used in two ways: First, to obtain initial estimates over the learning gains for the set of questions. Second, to update the estimates over time based on the students responses. We show in simulations that MAPLE was able to improve students' learning gains compared to approaches that sequence questions in increasing level of difficulty, or rely on content experts. When implemented in a live e-learning system in the wild, MAPLE showed promising results. This work demonstrates the efficacy of using stochastic approaches to the sequencing problem when augmented with information about question difficulty.

cs.AI↗

arXiv2017

J/$ψ$ elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at $\mathbf{\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV

We report a precise measurement of the J/$ψ$ elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The J/$ψ$ mesons are reconstructed at mid-rapidity ($|y| < 0.9$) in the dielectron decay channel and at forward rapidity ($2.5<y<4.0$) in the dimuon channel, both down to zero transverse momentum. At forward rapidity, the elliptic flow $v_2$ of the J/$ψ$ is studied as a function of transverse momentum and centrality. A positive $v_2$ is observed in the transverse momentum range $2 < p_{\rm T} < 8$ GeV/$c$ in the three centrality classes studied and confirms with higher statistics our earlier results at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV in semi-central collisions. At mid-rapidity, the J/$ψ$ $v_2$ is investigated as a function of transverse momentum in semi-central collisions and found to be in agreement with the measurements at forward rapidity. These results are compared to transport model calculations. The comparison supports the idea that at low $p_{\rm T}$ the elliptic flow of the J/$ψ$ originates from the thermalization of charm quarks in the deconfined medium, but suggests that additional mechanisms might be missing in the models.

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arXiv2017

Linear and non-linear flow mode in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} =$ 2.76 TeV

The second and the third order anisotropic flow, $V_{2}$ and $V_3$, are mostly determined by the corresponding initial spatial anisotropy coefficients, $\varepsilon_{2}$ and $\varepsilon_{3}$, in the initial density distribution. In addition to their dependence on the same order initial anisotropy coefficient, higher order anisotropic flow, $V_n$ ($n > 3$), can also have a significant contribution from lower order initial anisotropy coefficients, which leads to mode-coupling effects. In this Letter we investigate the linear and non-linear modes in higher order anisotropic flow $V_n$ for $n=4$, $5$, $6$ with the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The measurements are done for particles in the pseudorapidity range $|η| < 0.8$ and the transverse momentum range $0.2 < p_{\rm T} < 5.0$ GeV/$c$ as a function of collision centrality. The results are compared with theoretical calculations and provide important constraints on the initial conditions, including initial spatial geometry and its fluctuations, as well as the ratio of the shear viscosity to entropy density of the produced system.

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arXiv2017

Measurement of D-meson production at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at $\mathbf{\sqrt{s}=7}$ TeV

The production cross sections of the prompt charmed mesons ${\rm D^0}$, ${\rm D^+}$, ${\rm D^{*+}}$ and ${\rm D_s^+}$ were measured at mid-rapidity in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV with the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). D mesons were reconstructed from their decays ${\rm D}^0 \to {\rm K}^-π^+$, ${\rm D}^+\to {\rm K}^-π^+π^+$, ${\rm D}^{*+} \to {\rm D}^0 π^+$, ${\rm D_s^{+}\to ϕπ^+\to K^-K^+π^+}$, and their charge conjugates. With respect to previous measurements in the same rapidity region, the coverage in transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) is extended and the uncertainties are reduced by a factor of about two. The accuracy on the estimated total $\rm c\overline c$ production cross section is likewise improved. The measured $p_{\rm T}$-differential cross sections are compared with the results of three perturbative QCD calculations.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Evolution of the longitudinal and azimuthal structure of the near-side jet peak in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV

In two-particle angular correlation measurements, jets give rise to a near-side peak, formed by particles associated to a higher $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ trigger particle. Measurements of these correlations as a function of pseudorapidity ($Δη$) and azimuthal ($Δφ$) differences are used to extract the centrality and $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ dependence of the shape of the near-side peak in the $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ range $1 < p_{\mathrm{T}} <$ 8 GeV/c in Pb-Pb and pp collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV. A combined fit of the near-side peak and long-range correlations is applied to the data and the peak shape is quantified by the variance of the distributions. While the width of the peak in the $Δφ$ direction is almost independent of centrality, a significant broadening in the $Δη$ direction is found from peripheral to central collisions. This feature is prominent for the low $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ region and vanishes above 4 GeV/c. The widths measured in peripheral collisions are equal to those in pp in the $Δφ$ direction and above 3 GeV/c in the $Δη$ direction. Furthermore, for the 10\% most central collisions and $1 < p_{\mathrm{T, assoc}} <$ 2 GeV/c, $1 < p_{\mathrm{T, trig}} <$ 3 GeV/c a departure from a Gaussian shape is found: a depletion develops around the centre of the peak. The results are compared to AMPT model simulations as well as other theoretical calculations indicating that the broadening and the development of the depletion is connected to the strength of radial and longitudinal flow.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

Anomalous evolution of the near-side jet peak shape in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV

The measurement of two-particle angular correlations is a powerful tool to study jet quenching in a $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ region inaccessible by direct jet identification. In these measurements pseudorapidity ($Δη$) and azimuthal ($Δφ$) differences are used to extract the shape of the near-side peak formed by particles associated to a higher $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ trigger particle ($1 < p_{\mathrm{T, trig}} <$ 8 GeV/c). A combined fit of the near-side peak and long-range correlations is applied to the data allowing the extraction of the centrality evolution of the peak shape in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV. A significant broadening of the peak in the $Δη$ direction at low $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ is found from peripheral to central collisions, which vanishes above 4 GeV/c, while in the $Δφ$ direction the peak is almost independent of centrality. For the 10% most central collisions and $1 < p_{\mathrm{T, assoc}} <$ 2 GeV/c, $1 < p_{\mathrm{T, trig}} <$ 3 GeV/c a novel feature is observed: a depletion develops around the centre of the peak. The results are compared to pp collisions at the same centre of mass energy and to AMPT model simulations. The comparison to the investigated models suggests that the broadening and the development of the depletion is connected to the strength of radial and longitudinal flow.

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arXiv2017

Searches for transverse momentum dependent flow vector fluctuations in Pb-Pb and p-Pb collisions at the LHC

The measurement of azimuthal correlations of charged particles is presented for Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=$ 2.76 TeV and p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=$ 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. These correlations are measured for the second, third and fourth order flow vector in the pseudorapidity region $|η|<0.8$ as a function of centrality and transverse momentum $p_{\rm T}$ using two observables, to search for evidence of $p_{\rm T}$-dependent flow vector fluctuations. For Pb-Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV, the measurements indicate that $p_{\rm T}$-dependent fluctuations are only present for the second order flow vector. Similar results have been found for p-Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV. These measurements are compared to hydrodynamic model calculations with event-by-event geometry fluctuations in the initial state to constrain the initial conditions and transport properties of the matter created in Pb-Pb and p-Pb collisions.

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arXiv2017

Measuring K$^0_{\rm S}$K$^{\rm \pm}$ interactions using Pb-Pb collisions at ${\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76}$ TeV

We present the first ever measurements of femtoscopic correlations between the K$^0_{\rm S}$ and K$^{\rm \pm}$ particles. The analysis was performed on the data from Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76$ TeV measured by the ALICE experiment. The observed femtoscopic correlations are consistent with final-state interactions proceeding via the $a_0(980)$ resonance. The extracted kaon source radius and correlation strength parameters for K$^0_{\rm S}$K$^{\rm -}$ are found to be equal within the experimental uncertainties to those for K$^0_{\rm S}$K$^{\rm +}$. Comparing the results of the present study with those from published identical-kaon femtoscopic studies by ALICE, mass and coupling parameters for the $a_0$ resonance are constrained. Our results are also compatible with the interpretation of the $a_0$ having a tetraquark structure over that of a diquark.

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arXiv2017

Measurement of deuteron spectra and elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at $\mathbf{\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV at the LHC

The transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) spectra and elliptic flow coefficient ($v_2$) of deuterons and anti-deuterons at mid-rapidity ($|y|<0.5$) are measured with the ALICE detector at the LHC in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV. The measurement of the $p_{\rm T}$ spectra of (anti-)deuterons is done up to 8 GeV/$c$ in 0-10% centrality class and up to GeV/$c$ in 10-20% and 20-40% centrality classes. The $v_2$ is measured in the $0.8 1.8$ GeV/$c$ within the experimental uncertainties. The measurement of the coalescence parameter $B_2$ is performed, showing a $p_{\rm T}$ dependence in contrast with the simplest coalescence model, which fails to reproduce also the measured $v_2$ coefficient. In addition, the coalescence parameter $B_2$ and the elliptic flow coefficient in the 20-40% centrality interval are compared with the AMPT model which is able, in its version without string melting, to reproduce the measured $v_2$($p_{\rm T}$) and the $B_2$($p_{\rm T}$) trend.

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arXiv2017

Charged-particle multiplicity distributions over a wide pseudorapidity range in proton-proton collisions at $\mathbf{\sqrt{s}=}$ 0.9, 7 and 8 TeV

We present the charged-particle multiplicity distributions over a wide pseudorapidity range ($-3.4<η<5.0$) for pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=$ 0.9, 7, and 8 TeV at the LHC. Results are based on information from the Silicon Pixel Detector and the Forward Multiplicity Detector of ALICE, extending the pseudorapidity coverage of the earlier publications and the high-multiplicity reach. The measurements are compared to results from the CMS experiment and to PYTHIA, PHOJET and EPOS LHC event generators, as well as IP-Glasma calculations.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

J/$ψ$ production as a function of charged-particle pseudorapidity density in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV

We report measurements of the inclusive J/$ψ$ yield and average transverse momentum as a function of charged-particle pseudorapidity density ${\rm d}N_{\rm ch}/{\rm d}η$ in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}= 5.02$ TeV with ALICE at the LHC. The observables are normalised to their corresponding averages in non-single diffractive events. An increase of the normalised J/$ψ$ yield with normalised ${\rm d}N_{\rm ch}/{\rm d}η$, measured at mid-rapidity, is observed at mid-rapidity and backward rapidity. At forward rapidity, a saturation of the relative yield is observed for high charged-particle multiplicities. The normalised average transverse momentum at forward and backward rapidities increases with multiplicity at low multiplicities and saturates beyond moderate multiplicities. In addition, the forward-to-backward nuclear modification factor ratio is also reported, showing an increasing suppression of J/$ψ$ production at forward rapidity with respect to backward rapidity for increasing charged-particle multiplicity.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

First measurement of jet mass in Pb-Pb and p-Pb collisions at the LHC

This letter presents the first measurement of jet mass in Pb-Pb and p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV and 5.02 TeV, respectively. Both the jet energy and the jet mass are expected to be sensitive to jet quenching in the hot Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) matter created in nuclear collisions at collider energies. Jets are reconstructed from charged particles using the anti-$k_{\rm T}$ jet algorithm and resolution parameter $R = 0.4$. The jets are measured in the pseudorapidity range $|η_{\rm{jet}}|<0.5$ and in three intervals of transverse momentum between 60 GeV/$c$ and 120 GeV/$c$. The measurement of the jet mass in central Pb-Pb collisions is compared to the jet mass as measured in p-Pb reference collisions, to vacuum event generators, and to models including jet quenching. It is observed that the jet mass in central Pb-Pb collisions is consistent within uncertainties with p-Pb reference measurements. Furthermore, the measured jet mass in Pb-Pb collisions is not reproduced by the quenching models considered in this letter and is found to be consistent with PYTHIA expectations within systematic uncertainties.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

Two-pion Bose-Einstein correlations in central Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV

The first measurement of two-pion Bose-Einstein correlations in central Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV at the Large Hadron Collider is presented. We observe a growing trend with energy now not only for the longitudinal and the outward but also for the sideward pion source radius. The pion homogeneity volume and the decoupling time are significantly larger than those measured at RHIC.

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arXiv2017

Transverse momentum spectra of charged particles in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 900$ GeV with ALICE at the LHC

The inclusive charged particle transverse momentum distribution is measured in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 900$ GeV at the LHC using the ALICE detector. The measurement is performed in the central pseudorapidity region $(|η|<0.8)$ over the transverse momentum range $0.15 _{\rm INEL}=0.483\pm0.001$ (stat.) $\pm0.007$ (syst.) GeV/$c$ and $\left _{\rm NSD}=0.489\pm0.001$ (stat.) $\pm0.007$ (syst.) GeV/$c$, respectively. The data exhibit a slightly larger $\left $ than measurements in wider pseudorapidity intervals. The results are compared to simulations with the Monte Carlo event generators PYTHIA and PHOJET.

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