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L. S. Barnby

Publications and source records attributed to L. S. Barnby.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

A next-generation LHC heavy-ion experiment

The present document discusses plans for a compact, next-generation multi-purpose detector at the LHC as a follow-up to the present ALICE experiment. The aim is to build a nearly massless barrel detector consisting of truly cylindrical layers based on curved wafer-scale ultra-thin silicon sensors with MAPS technology, featuring an unprecedented low material budget of 0.05% X$_0$ per layer, with the innermost layers possibly positioned inside the beam pipe. In addition to superior tracking and vertexing capabilities over a wide momentum range down to a few tens of MeV/$c$, the detector will provide particle identification via time-of-flight determination with about 20~ps resolution. In addition, electron and photon identification will be performed in a separate shower detector. The proposed detector is conceived for studies of pp, pA and AA collisions at luminosities a factor of 20 to 50 times higher than possible with the upgraded ALICE detector, enabling a rich physics program ranging from measurements with electromagnetic probes at ultra-low transverse momenta to precision physics in the charm and beauty sector.

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Near-side azimuthal and pseudorapidity correlations using neutral strange baryons and mesons in d+Au, Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV

We present measurements of the near-side of triggered di-hadron correlations using neutral strange baryons ($Λ$, $\barΛ$) and mesons ($K^0_S$) at intermediate transverse momentum (3 $<$ $p_T$ $<$ 6 GeV/$c$) to look for possible flavor and baryon/meson dependence. This study is performed in $d$+Au, Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV measured by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The near-side di-hadron correlation contains two structures, a peak which is narrow in azimuth and pseudorapidity consistent with correlations due to jet fragmentation, and a correlation in azimuth which is broad in pseudorapidity. The particle composition of the jet-like correlation is determined using identified associated particles. The dependence of the conditional yield of the jet-like correlation on the trigger particle momentum, associated particle momentum, and centrality for correlations with unidentified trigger particles are presented. The neutral strange particle composition in jet-like correlations with unidentified charged particle triggers is not well described by PYTHIA. However, the yield of unidentified particles in jet-like correlations with neutral strange particle triggers is described reasonably well by the same model.

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Inclusive J/psi production in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 2.76 TeV

The ALICE Collaboration has measured inclusive J/psi production in pp collisions at a center of mass energy sqrt(s)=2.76 TeV at the LHC. The results presented in this Letter refer to the rapidity ranges |y|<0.9 and 2.5<y<4 and have been obtained by measuring the electron and muon pair decay channels, respectively. The integrated luminosities for the two channels are L^e_int=1.1 nb^-1 and L^mu_int=19.9 nb^-1, and the corresponding signal statistics are N_J/psi^e+e-=59 +/- 14 and N_J/psi^mu+mu-=1364 +/- 53. We present dsigma_J/psi/dy for the two rapidity regions under study and, for the forward-y range, d^2sigma_J/psi/dydp_t in the transverse momentum domain 0<p_t<8 GeV/c. The results are compared with previously published results at sqrt(s)=7 TeV and with theoretical calculations.

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Strangeness Enhancement in Cu+Cu and Au+Au Collisions at \sqrt{s_{NN}} = 200 GeV

We report new STAR measurements of mid-rapidity yields for the $Λ$, $\barΛ$, $K^{0}_{S}$, $Ξ^{-}$, $\barΞ^{+}$, $Ω^{-}$, $\barΩ^{+}$ particles in Cu+Cu collisions at \sNN{200}, and mid-rapidity yields for the $Λ$, $\barΛ$, $K^{0}_{S}$ particles in Au+Au at \sNN{200}. We show that at a given number of participating nucleons, the production of strange hadrons is higher in Cu+Cu collisions than in Au+Au collisions at the same center-of-mass energy. We find that aspects of the enhancement factors for all particles can be described by a parameterization based on the fraction of participants that undergo multiple collisions.

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System size and energy dependence of near-side di-hadron correlations

Two-particle azimuthal ($Δϕ$) and pseudorapidity ($Δη$) correlations using a trigger particle with large transverse momentum ($p_T$) in $d$+Au, Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ =\xspace 62.4 GeV and 200~GeV from the STAR experiment at RHIC are presented. The \ns correlation is separated into a jet-like component, narrow in both $Δϕ$ and $Δη$, and the ridge, narrow in $Δϕ$ but broad in $Δη$. Both components are studied as a function of collision centrality, and the jet-like correlation is studied as a function of the trigger and associated $p_T$. The behavior of the jet-like component is remarkably consistent for different collision systems, suggesting it is produced by fragmentation. The width of the jet-like correlation is found to increase with the system size. The ridge, previously observed in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV, is also found in Cu+Cu collisions and in collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ =\xspace 62.4 GeV, but is found to be substantially smaller at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ =\xspace 62.4 GeV than at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV for the same average number of participants ($ \langle N_{\mathrm{part}}\rangle$). Measurements of the ridge are compared to models.

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Strange and identified hadron production at the LHC with ALICE

The ALICE detector was designed to identify hadrons over a wide range of transverse momentum at mid-rapidity. Here measurements of light charged (π, K, p) and neutral (Λ, K0S) hadrons in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 2.76 TeV are presented with additional data from a pp reference at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV. Such measurements are crucial for understanding the properties of the fireball produced in heavy-ion collisions at the LHC. The particle-type dependence of the spectra and the yields of particles extracted give information on the expansion dynamics and chemical composition respectively. In addition studying the ratio of baryons to mesons may help in understanding the mechanisms by which hadronisation takes place. We find that, when comparing to data at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC, a more strongly expanding system is created with a similar relative population of hadron species. We also see that collective effects or complex mechanisms responsible for a relative enhancement of baryons have an influence at a much higher pT than was previously seen.

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Pion femtoscopy in p+p collisions at sqrt(s)=200 GeV

The STAR Collaboration at RHIC has measured two-pion correlation functions from p+p collisions at sqrt(s)=200 GeV. Spatial scales are extracted via a femtoscopic analysis of the correlations, though this analysis is complicated by the presence of strong non-femtoscopic effects. Our results are put into the context of the world dataset of femtoscopy in hadron-hadron collisions. We present the first direct comparison of femtoscopy in p+p and heavy ion collisions, under identical analysis and detector conditions.

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Azimuthal di-hadron correlations in d+Au and Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV from STAR

Yields, correlation shapes, and mean transverse momenta \pt{} of charged particles associated with intermediate to high-\pt{} trigger particles ($2.5 < \pt < 10$ \GeVc) in d+Au and Au+Au collisions at $\snn=200$ GeV are presented. For associated particles at higher $\pt \gtrsim 2.5$ \GeVc, narrow correlation peaks are seen in d+Au and Au+Au, indicating that the main production mechanism is jet fragmentation. At lower associated particle $\pt < 2$ \GeVc, a large enhancement of the near- ($\dphi \sim 0$) and away-side ($\dphi \sim π$) associated yields is found, together with a strong broadening of the away-side azimuthal distributions in Au+Au collisions compared to d+Au measurements, suggesting that other particle production mechanisms play a role. This is further supported by the observed significant softening of the away-side associated particle yield distribution at $\dphi \sim π$ in central Au+Au collisions.

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An Experimental Exploration of the QCD Phase Diagram: The Search for the Critical Point and the Onset of De-confinement

The QCD phase diagram lies at the heart of what the RHIC Physics Program is all about. While RHIC has been operating very successfully at or close to its maximum energy for almost a decade, it has become clear that this collider can also be operated at lower energies down to 5 GeV without extensive upgrades. An exploration of the full region of beam energies available at the RHIC facility is imperative. The STAR detector, due to its large uniform acceptance and excellent particle identification capabilities, is uniquely positioned to carry out this program in depth and detail. The first exploratory beam energy scan (BES) run at RHIC took place in 2010 (Run 10), since several STAR upgrades, most importantly a full barrel Time of Flight detector, are now completed which add new capabilities important for the interesting physics at BES energies. In this document we discuss current proposed measurements, with estimations of the accuracy of the measurements given an assumed event count at each beam energy.

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Higher Moments of Net-proton Multiplicity Distributions at RHIC

We report the first measurements of the kurtosis (κ), skewness (S) and variance (σ^2) of net-proton multiplicity (N_p - N_pbar) distributions at midrapidity for Au+Au collisions at \sqrt(s_NN) = 19.6, 62.4, and 200 GeV corresponding to baryon chemical potentials (μ_B) between 200 - 20 MeV. Our measurements of the products κσ^2 and S σ, which can be related to theoretical calculations sensitive to baryon number susceptibilities and long range correlations, are constant as functions of collision centrality. We compare these products with results from lattice QCD and various models without a critical point and study the \sqrt(s_NN) dependence of κσ^2. From the measurements at the three beam energies, we find no evidence for a critical point in the QCD phase diagram for μ_B below 200 MeV.

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K*0 production in Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at \sqrt{s_NN} = 62.4 GeV and 200 GeV

We report on K*0 production at mid-rapidity in Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at \sqrt{s_{NN}} = 62.4 and 200 GeV collected by the Solenoid Tracker at RHIC (STAR) detector. The K*0 is reconstructed via the hadronic decays K*0 \to K+ pi- and \bar{K*0} \to K-pi+. Transverse momentum, pT, spectra are measured over a range of pT extending from 0.2 GeV/c to 5 GeV/c. The center of mass energy and system size dependence of the rapidity density, dN/dy, and the average transverse momentum, , are presented. The measured N(K*0)/N(K) and N(ϕ)/N(K*0) ratios favor the dominance of re-scattering of decay daughters of K*0 over the hadronic regeneration for the K*0 production. In the intermediate pT region (2.0 < pT < 4.0 GeV/c), the elliptic flow parameter, v2, and the nuclear modification factor, RCP, agree with the expectations from the quark coalescence model of particle production.

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Upsilon cross section in p+p collisions at sqrt(s) = 200 GeV

We report on a measurement of the Upsilon(1S+2S+3S) -> e+e- cross section at midrapidity in p+p collisions at sqrt(s)=200 GeV. We find the cross section to be 114 +/- 38 (stat.) +23,-24 (syst.) pb. Perturbative QCD calculations at next-to-leading order in the Color Evaporation Model are in agreement with our measurement, while calculations in the Color Singlet Model underestimate it by 2 sigma. Our result is consistent with the trend seen in world data as a function of the center-of-mass energy of the collision and extends the availability of Upsilon data to RHIC energies. The dielectron continuum in the invariant mass range near the Upsilon is also studied to obtain a combined cross section of Drell-Yan plus (b b-bar) -> e+e-.

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Pion Interferometry in Au+Au and Cu+Cu Collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 62.4 and 200 GeV

We present a systematic analysis of two-pion interferometry in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 62.4 GeV and Cu+Cu collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 62.4 and 200 GeV using the STAR detector at RHIC. The multiplicity and transverse momentum dependences of the extracted correlation lengths (radii) are studied. The scaling with charged particle multiplicity of the apparent system volume at final interaction is studied for the RHIC energy domain. The multiplicity scaling of the measured correlation radii is found to be independent of colliding system and collision energy.

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Beam-Energy and System-Size Dependence of Dynamical Net Charge Fluctuations

We present measurements of net charge fluctuations in $Au + Au$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = $ 19.6, 62.4, 130, and 200 GeV, $Cu + Cu$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = $ 62.4, 200 GeV, and $p + p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = $ 200 GeV using the dynamical net charge fluctuations measure $ν_{+-{\rm,dyn}}$. We observe that the dynamical fluctuations are non-zero at all energies and exhibit a modest dependence on beam energy. A weak system size dependence is also observed. We examine the collision centrality dependence of the net charge fluctuations and find that dynamical net charge fluctuations violate $1/N_{ch}$ scaling, but display approximate $1/N_{part}$ scaling. We also study the azimuthal and rapidity dependence of the net charge correlation strength and observe strong dependence on the azimuthal angular range and pseudorapidity widths integrated to measure the correlation.

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Strange baryon resonance production in $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 200$ GeV $p+p$ and $Au+Au$ collisions

We report the measurements of $Σ(1385)$ and $Λ(1520)$ production in $p+p$ and $Au+Au$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 200$ GeV from the STAR collaboration. The yields and the $p_{T}$ spectra are presented and discussed in terms of chemical and thermal freeze-out conditions and compared to model predictions. Thermal and microscopic models do not adequately describe the yields of all the resonances produced in central $Au+Au$ collisions. Our results indicate that there may be a time-span between chemical and thermal freeze-out during which elastic hadronic interactions occur.

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Identified Particle Dependence of Nuclear Modification Factors in d+Au Collisions at RHIC

We present transverse momentum spectra from d+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV for identified hadrons at mid-rapidity and unidentified hadrons in the forward rapidity region using the Solenoidal Tracker at RHIC. We scale these spectra by the mean number of binary collisions to form a transverse momentum dependent ratio to spectra from p+p collisions, showing that the Cronin effect measured at lower centre-of-mass energies is also present at this higher energy. The data also suggest a dependence of the Cronin effect on the hadron species. We also compare central d+Au collisions to more peripheral ones, contrasting the behaviour to that observed in Au+Au collisions and remark on unidentified hadrons at forward rapidities which show a qualitatively different behaviour.

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