arXiv subjects

N. Grau

Publications and source records attributed to N. Grau.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Neutral pion production with respect to centrality and reaction plane in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV

The PHENIX experiment has measured the production of neutral pions in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV. The new data offer a fourfold increase in recorded luminosity, providing higher precision and a larger reach in transverse momentum, p_T, to 20 GeV/c. The production ratio of eta/pi^0 is 0.46+/-0.01(stat)+/-0.05(syst), constant with p_T and collision centrality. The observed ratio is consistent with earlier measurements, as well as with the p+p and d+Au values. The production of pi^0 is suppressed by a factor of 5, as in earlier findings. However, with the improved statistical precision a small but significant rise of the nuclear modification factor, R_AA, vs p_T, with a slope of 0.0106+/-^(0.0034)_(0.0029)[GeV/c]^-1, is discernible in central collisions. A phenomenological extraction of the average fractional parton energy loss shows a decrease with increasing p_T. To study the path length dependence of suppression, the pi^0 yield was measured at different angles with respect to the event plane; a strong azimuthal dependence of the pi^0 R_AA is observed. The data are compared to theoretical models of parton energy loss as a function of the path length, L, in the medium. Models based on pQCD are insufficient to describe the data, while a hybrid model utilizing pQCD for the hard interactions and AdS/CFT for the soft interactions is consistent with the data.

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arXiv2012

Double Spin Asymmetry of Electrons from Heavy Flavor Decays in p+p Collisions at sqrt(s)=200 GeV

We report on the first measurement of double-spin asymmetry, A_LL, of electrons from the decays of hadrons containing heavy flavor in longitudinally polarized p+p collisions at sqrt(s)=200 GeV for p_T= 0.5 to 3.0 GeV/c. The asymmetry was measured at mid-rapidity (|eta|<0.35) with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The measured asymmetries are consistent with zero within the statistical errors. We obtained a constraint for the polarized gluon distribution in the proton of |Delta g/g(log{_10}x= -1.6^+0.5_-0.4, {mu}=m_T^c)|^2 < 0.033 (1 sigma), based on a leading-order perturbative-quantum-chromodynamics model, using the measured asymmetry.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2012

J/psi suppression at forward rapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=39 and 62.4 GeV

We present measurements of the J/psi invariant yields in sqrt(s_NN)=39 and 62.4 GeV Au+Au collisions at forward rapidity (1.2<|y|<2.2). Invariant yields are presented as a function of both collision centrality and transverse momentum. Nuclear modifications are obtained for central relative to peripheral Au+Au collisions (R_CP) and for various centrality selections in Au+Au relative to scaled p+p cross sections obtained from other measurements (R_AA). The observed suppression patterns at 39 and 62.4 GeV are quite similar to those previously measured at 200 GeV. This similar suppression presents a challenge to theoretical models that contain various competing mechanisms with different energy dependencies, some of which cause suppression and others enhancement.

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arXiv2012

Measurement of Direct Photons in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV

We report the measurement of direct photons at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt{s_NN} = 200 GeV. The direct photon signal was extracted for the transverse-momentum range of 4 GeV/c < p_T < 22 GeV/c, using a statistical method to subtract decay photons from the inclusive-photon sample. The direct-photon nuclear-modification factor R_AA was calculated as a function of p_T for different Au+Au collision centralities using the measured p+p direct-photon spectrum and compared to theoretical predictions. R_AA was found to be consistent with unity for all centralities over the entire measured p_T range. Theoretical models that account for modifications of initial-direct-photon production due to modified-parton-distribution functions in Au and the different isospin composition of the nuclei, predict a modest change of R_AA from unity and are consistent with the data. Models with compensating effects of the quark-gluon plasma on high-energy photons, such as suppression of jet-fragmentation photons and induced-photon bremsstrahlung from partons traversing the medium, are also consistent with this measurement.

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arXiv2012

Deviation from quark-number scaling of the anisotropy parameter v_2 of pions, kaons, and protons in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV

Measurements of the anisotropy parameter v_2 of identified hadrons (pions, kaons, and protons) as a function of centrality, transverse momentum p_T, and transverse kinetic energy KE_T at midrapidity (|η|<0.35) in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV are presented. Pions and protons are identified up to p_T = 6 GeV/c, and kaons up to p_T = 4 GeV/c, by combining information from time-of-flight and aerogel Cherenkov detectors in the PHENIX Experiment. The scaling of v_2 with the number of valence quarks (n_q) has been studied in different centrality bins as a function of transverse momentum and transverse kinetic energy. A deviation from previously observed quark-number scaling is observed at large values of KE_T/n_q in noncentral Au+Au collisions (20--60%), but this scaling remains valid in central collisions (0--10%).

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arXiv2011

Determination of the Quark Content of Scalar Mesons Using Hydrodynamical Flow in Heavy Ion Collisions

We study the possibility of determining the quark content of the scalar mesons a0(980) and f0(980) through their hydrodynamical flow signature in relativistic heavy ion collisions. Utilizing the constituent quark scaling of hydrodynamic flow, we find that the tetraquark a0(980) or f0(980) mesons will have a v_2 of 0.38 at transverse momentum of 6 GeV/c in 20-60% central Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV. The feasibility of measuring a0(980)-->pi0 + eta and f0(980)-->pi+ + pi- into the PHENIX and STAR detectors at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) is also discussed. Even though the mid-rapidity cross sections for these mesons at high-pT are non-negligible, their broad mass range will make them difficult to detect in both p+p and Au+Au collisions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Observation of direct-photon collective flow in sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV Au+Au collisions

The second Fourier component v_2 of the azimuthal anisotropy with respect to the reaction plane was measured for direct photons at midrapidity and transverse momentum (p_T) of 1--13 GeV/c in Au+Au collisions at sqr(s_NN)=200 GeV. Previous measurements of this quantity for hadrons with p_T < 6 GeV/c indicate that the medium behaves like a nearly perfect fluid, while for p_T > 6 GeV/c a reduced anisotropy is interpreted in terms of a path-length dependence for parton energy loss. In this measurement with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider we find that for p_T > 4 GeV/c the anisotropy for direct photons is consistent with zero, as expected if the dominant source of direct photons is initial hard scattering. However, in the p_T < 4 GeV/c region dominated by thermal photons, we find a substantial direct photon v_2 comparable to that of hadrons, whereas model calculations for thermal photons in this kinematic region significantly underpredict the observed v_2.

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arXiv2011

Probing Nuclear Matter With Jets and $γ$-Hadron Correlations: Results from PHENIX

Fully reconstructed jets and direct photon-tagged jet fragments significantly reduce energy-loss bias, the bias toward mostly measuring particles from partons which suffer little energy loss. In d+Au collisions, one accesses the physics at large $x$, which yields important constraints for nuclear parton distribution functions. In both d+Au and A+A collisions, coherent multiple-scattering models of energy loss can be tested. In this contribution, we present the current results from the PHENIX experiment on fully reconstructed jets and direct $γ$-hadron correlations. Baseline measurements of jets in p+p collisions as well as their yield and correlation modifications in d+Au and Cu+Cu will be given. From $γ$-hadron correlations, we present the fragmentation function in p+p and Au+Au collisions and its modification in Au+Au to $z_T$ lower than what has previously been studied. Implications of this data on our understanding of both cold and hot, dense nuclear matter created at RHIC are discussed.

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arXiv2011

J/psi suppression at forward rapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV

Heavy quarkonia are observed to be suppressed in relativistic heavy ion collisions relative to their production in p+p collisions scaled by the number of binary collisions. In order to determine if this suppression is related to color screening of these states in the produced medium, one needs to account for other nuclear modifications including those in cold nuclear matter. In this paper, we present new measurements from the PHENIX 2007 data set of J/psi yields at forward rapidity (1.2<|y|<2.2) in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV. The data confirm the earlier finding that the suppression of J/psi at forward rapidity is stronger than at midrapidity, while also extending the measurement to finer bins in collision centrality and higher transverse momentum (pT). We compare the experimental data to the most recent theoretical calculations that incorporate a variety of physics mechanisms including gluon saturation, gluon shadowing, initial-state parton energy loss, cold nuclear matter breakup, color screening, and charm recombination. We find J/psi suppression beyond cold-nuclear-matter effects. However, the current level of disagreement between models and d+Au data precludes using these models to quantify the hot-nuclear-matter suppression.

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arXiv2010

Cross Section and Parity Violating Spin Asymmetries of W^+/- Boson Production in Polarized p+p Collisions at sqrt(s)=500 GeV

Large parity violating longitudinal single spin asymmetries A^{e^-}_L= -0.86^{+0.14}_{-0.30} and A^{e^+}_L= 0.88^{+0.12}_{-0.71} are observed for inclusive high transverse momentum electrons and positrons in polarized pp collisions at a center of mass energy of \sqrt{s}=500\ GeV with the PHENIX detector at RHIC. These e^{+/-} come mainly from the decay of W^{+/-} and Z^0 bosons, and the asymmetries directly demonstrate parity violation in the couplings of the W^{\pm} to the light quarks. The observed electron and positron yields were used to estimate W^\pm boson production cross sections equal to σ(pp \to W^+ X) \times BR(W^ \to ν_e)= 144.1+/-21.2(stat)^{+3.4}_{-10.3}(syst) +/- 15%(norm) pb, and σ(pp \to W^{-}X) \times BR(W^\to e^-\bar{ν_e}) = 31.7+/-12.1(stat)^{+10.1}_{-8.2}(syst)+/-15%(norm) pb.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2010

Elliptic and hexadecapole flow of charged hadrons in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV

Differential measurements of the elliptic (v_2) and hexadecapole (v_4) Fourier flow coefficients are reported for charged hadrons as a function of transverse momentum (p_T) and collision centrality or the number of participant nucleons (N_part) for Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV. The v_{2,4} measurements at pseudorapidity |η|<=0.35 obtained with four separate reaction plane detectors positioned in the range 1.0<|η|<3.9 show good agreement, indicating the absence of significant η-dependent nonflow perturbations. Sizable values for v_4(p_T) are observed with a ratio v_4(p_T,N_part)/v_2^2(p_T,N_part)~0.8 for 50 200 this ratio increases up to 1.7 in the most central collisions.

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arXiv2009

Elucidating Jet Energy Loss Using Jets: Prospects from ATLAS

Jets at the LHC are expected to provide the testing ground for studying QCD energy loss. In this contribution, we briefly outline the strategy that will be used to measure jets in ATLAS and how we will go about studying energy loss. We describe the utility of measuring the jet $R_{AA}$, the fragmentation function, and heavy flavor jets. Utilizing the collision energy provided by the LHC and the nearly hermetic and highly segmented calorimeter, ATLAS is expected to make important contributions to the understanding of parton energy loss using fully reconstructed jets.

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arXiv2008

Elucidating Jet Energy Loss in Heavy Ion Collisions

Very soon the LHC will provide beams for heavy ion collisions at 5.52 TeV/nucleon. This center-of-mass energy results in a large cross-section for producing high-$E_T$ ($>$ 50 GeV) jets that are distinct from the soft, underlying event. This brings with it the possibility of performing full jet reconstruction to directly study jet energy loss in the medium produced in heavy ion collisions. In this note, we present the current state of jet reconstruction performance studies in heavy ion events using the ATLAS detector. We also discuss the possibilities of energy loss measurements available with full jet reconstruction: single jet $R_{AA}$ and di-jet and $γ$-jet correlations.

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arXiv2008

Identification and Rejection of Fake Reconstructed Jets From a Fluctuating Heavy Ion Background in ATLAS

Full jet reconstruction in relativistic heavy ion collisions provides new and unique insights to the physics of parton energy loss. Because of the large underlying event multiplicity in $A+A$ collisions, random and correlated fluctuations in the background can result in the reconstruction of fake jets. These fake jets must be identified and rejected to obtain the purest jet sample possible. A large but reducible fake rate of jets reconstructed using an iterative cone algorithm on HIJING events is observed. The absolute rate of fake jets exceeds the binary-scaled p+p jet rate below 50 GeV and is not negligible until 100 GeV. The variable $Σj_{T}$, the sum of the jet constituent's $E_{T}$ perpendicular to the jet axis, is introduced to identify and reject fake jets at by a factor of 100 making it negligible. This variable is shown to not strongly depend on jet energy profiles modified by energy loss. By studying azimuthal correlations of reconstructed di-jets, the fake jet rate can be evaluated in data.

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arXiv2008

Heavy Ion Physics Prospects with the ATLAS Detector at the LHC

The next great energy frontier in Relativistic Heavy Ion Collisions is quickly approaching with the completion of the Large Hadron Collider and the ATLAS experiment is poised to make important contributions in understanding QCD matter at extreme conditions. While designed for high-pT measurements in high-energy p+p collisions, the detector is well suited to study many aspects of heavy ion collisions from bulk phenomena to high-pT and heavy flavor physics. With its large and finely segmented electromagnetic and hadronic calorimeters, the ATLAS detector excels in measurements of photons and jets, observables of great interest at the LHC. In this talk, we highlight the performance of the ATLAS detector for Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC with special emphasis on a key feature of the ATLAS physics program: jet and direct photon measurements.

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arXiv2007

The Heavy Ion Physics Program with ATLAS at the LHC

The first Pb+Pb collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at sqrts_NN = 5.52 TeV are imminent. Heavy ion collisions at the LHC provide an extended energy lever arm to the existing measurements made at RHIC and SPS, especially in hard (large-Q^2) processes. In this contribution an overview of the ATLAS detector is given and the current physics focus of Heavy Ion Working Group is discussed.

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arXiv2007

Evolution of the Away-Side Jet Shapes in pi0-h Correlations in 200 GeV Au+Au Collisions with RHIC-PHENIX

Two-particle azimuthal correlations have allowed detailed study of the modification to di-jets in the hot, dense medium created in RHIC collisions. Light can be shed by such correlations on many novel effects discovered at RHIC such as the enhanced p/pi ratio and conical structure of events with energy loss. Using pi0 triggers to reduce the effect of recombination we utilize high-pT correlations to explore the away-side structure.

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arXiv2006

Jet Correlations from PHENIX: Low-pT to High-pT

PHENIX has measured many different two-particle azimuthal correlations in several different colliding systems, beam energies, $p_{T}$ windows, etc. The initial striking results from the first full energy Au+Au run have been confirmed, i.e. the observation of away-side suppression at intermediate $p_{T}$ and the shape modification at low $p_{T}$. With the new high-statistics data these results have been extended to further explore the physics resulting in these modified correlations. In this contribution we present a wide variety of correlation results at high-$p_{T}$ ($>$ 5 GeV/c) and at low $p_{T}$ ($\sim$ 1-4 GeV/c). We discuss the implication of these data on energy loss models and on the possibilities of determining medium properties from these correlations.

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