arXiv subjects

Oleksandra Panova

Publications and source records attributed to Oleksandra Panova.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Investigating the onset of deconfinement with NA61/SHINE

NA61/SHINE is a multipurpose fixed-target experiment located at the CERN SPS. One of its main goals is to study the onset of deconfinement and the properties of strongly interacting matter. For this purpose, a unique two-dimensional scan in collision energy ($\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.12 - 16.8/17.3$~GeV) and system size (from $p$+$p$ to Pb+Pb) was performed. Results on hadron spectra produced in nucleus-nucleus collisions, including the recent data on charged hadrons produced in central Xe+La collisions and baryons in central Ar+Sc collisions, are presented. The kinematic distributions and the measured multiplicities of identified hadrons are compared with NA49 Pb+Pb results and with available world data. The obtained results, particularly the $K^+/π^+$ ratio, are crucial for understanding the phenomena of the onset of deconfinement, which is one of the main aims of the strong interaction program of the NA61/SHINE Collaboration. Additionally, a comparison of proton rapidity spectra in nucleus-nucleus collisions from NA61/SHINE and NA49 is presented, providing a complete picture of the energy and system-size dependence of the mechanism of transport of baryon number at SPS energies.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2026

Isospin-symmetry violation -- kaons and beyond (ISO-BREAK 25: summary and outlook)

This report summarizes the presentations and discussions during the ISO-BREAK 25 Workshop ``Isospin symmetry violation: kaons and beyond'', which was held at Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce on October 23-25, 2025. We address the current status of the isospin-symmetry breaking discovered by NA61/SHINE in nucleus-nucleus collisions at the CERN SPS, its confirmation by other experiments and studies in \ee and deep inelastic scattering. In addition, we discuss the theoretical status as well as we outline experimental and theoretical priorities towards understanding this currently unexplained phenomenon.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2022

System size and energy dependence of proton rapidity spectra from NA61/SHINE at the CERN SPS

NA61/SHINE is an experiment at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron. The main goals of the experiment are the search for the critical point of strongly interacting matter and the study of the properties of the onset of deconfinement. To reach these goals, the two-dimensional scan in beam momentum ($13A-150A$ GeV/$c$) and system size ($p$+$p$, Be+Be, Ar+Sc, Xe+La, Pb+Pb) was performed. In the final stage of the collision, the spectra of protons are only weakly affected by the effects of resonance decays and rescattering due to their large mass. Thus, proton rapidity distribution is particularly sensitive to the onset of deconfinement. This article presents experimental results on proton production in the collision energy range, which is most relevant to the onset of deconfinement. The procedure of measuring the proton rapidity spectra by NA61/SHINE is described, as well as Collaboration's recent results from reactions of $p$+$p$, Be+Be and Ar+Sc. Presented experimental results are confronted with existing data and models.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Backward nucleon production by heavy baryonic resonances in proton-nucleus collisions

The production of backward nucleons, $N(180^\circ)$, at $180^\circ$ in the nuclear target rest frame in proton-nucleus ($\mathrm{p}+A$) collisions is studied. The backward nucleons appearing outside of the kinematically allowed range of proton-nucleon ($\mathrm{p}+N$) reactions are shown to be due to secondary reactions of heavy baryonic resonances produced inside the nucleus. Baryonic resonances $R$ created in primary $\mathrm{p}+N$ reactions can change their masses and momenta due to successive collisions $R+N\rightarrow R +N $ with other nuclear nucleons. Two distinct mechanisms and kinematic restrictions are studied: the reaction $R+N\rightarrow N(180^\circ)+N$ and the resonance decay $R\rightarrow N(180^\circ)+π$. Simulations of $\mathrm{p}+A$ collisions using the Ultra-relativistic Quantum Molecular Dynamics model support these mechanisms and are consistent with available data on proton backward production.

nucl-th↗