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R. K. Choudhury

Publications and source records attributed to R. K. Choudhury.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Azimuthal correlations of electrons from heavy-flavor decay with hadrons in p+p and Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV

Measurements of electrons from the decay of open-heavy-flavor mesons have shown that the yields are suppressed in Au+Au collisions compared to expectations from binary scaled p+p collisions. These measurements indicate that charm and bottom quarks interact with the hot-dense matter produced in heavy-ion collisions much more than expected. Here we extend these studies to two-particle correlations where one particle is an electron from the decay of a heavy-flavor meson and the other is a charged hadron from either the decay of the heavy meson or from jet fragmentation. These measurements provide more detailed information about the interactions between heavy quarks and the matter, such as whether the modification of the away-side-jet shape seen in hadron-hadron correlations is present when the trigger particle is from heavy-meson decay and whether the overall level of away-side jet suppression is consistent. We statistically subtract correlations of electrons arising from background sources from the inclusive electron-hadron correlations and obtain two-particle azimuthal correlations at sqrt(s_NN)=$200 GeV between electrons from heavy-flavor decay with charged hadrons in p+p and also first results in Au+Au collisions. We find the away-side-jet shape and yield to be modified in Au+Au collisions compared to p+p collisions.

nucl-ex↗

Suppression of away-side jet fragments with respect to the reaction plane in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV

Pair correlations between large transverse momentum neutral pion triggers (p_T=4--7 GeV/c) and charged hadron partners (p_T=3--7 GeV/c) in central (0--20%) and midcentral (20--60%) Au+Au collisions are presented as a function of trigger orientation with respect to the reaction plane. The particles are at larger momentum than where jet shape modifications have been observed, and the correlations are sensitive to the energy loss of partons traveling through hot dense matter. An out-of-plane trigger particle produces only 26+/-20% of the away-side pairs that are observed opposite of an in-plane trigger particle. In contrast, near-side jet fragments are consistent with no suppression or dependence on trigger orientation with respect to the reaction plane. These observations are qualitatively consistent with a picture of little near-side parton energy loss either due to surface bias or fluctuations and increased away-side parton energy loss due to a long path through the medium. The away-side suppression as a function of reaction-plane angle is shown to be sensitive to both the energy loss mechanism in and the space-time evolution of heavy-ion collisions.

nucl-ex↗

Cold Nuclear Matter Effects on J/psi Yields as a Function of Rapidity and Nuclear Geometry in Deuteron-Gold Collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV

We present measurements of J/psi yields in d+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV recorded by the PHENIX experiment and compare with yields in p+p collisions at the same energy per nucleon-nucleon collision. The measurements cover a large kinematic range in J/psi rapidity (-2.2 < y < 2.4) with high statistical precision and are compared with two theoretical models: one with nuclear shadowing combined with final state breakup and one with coherent gluon saturation effects. To remove model dependent systematic uncertainties we also compare the data to a simple geometric model. We find that calculations where the nuclear modification is linear or exponential in the density weighted longitudinal thickness are difficult to reconcile with the forward rapidity data.

nucl-ex↗

Cross section and double helicity asymmetry for eta mesons and their comparison to neutral pion production in p+p collisions at sqrt(s)=200 GeV

Measurements of double-helicity asymmetries for inclusive hadron production in polarized p+p collisions are sensitive to helicity--dependent parton distribution functions, in particular to the gluon helicity distribution, Delta(g). This study focuses on the extraction of the double-helicity asymmetry in eta production: polarized p+p --> eta + X, the eta cross section, and the eta/pi^0 cross section ratio. The cross section and ratio measurements provide essential input for the extraction of fragmentation functions that are needed to access the helicity-dependent parton distribution functions.

hep-ex↗

Measurement of Transverse Single-Spin Asymmetries for J/psi Production in Polarized p+p Collisions at sqrt(s) = 200 GeV

We report the first measurement of transverse single-spin asymmetries in $J/ψ$ production from transversely polarized $p+p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 200$ GeV with data taken by the PHENIX experiment in 2006 and 2008. The measurement was performed over the rapidity ranges $1.2 < |y| < 2.2$ and $ |y| < 0.35$ for transverse momenta up to 6 GeV/$c$. $J/ψ$ production at RHIC is dominated by processes involving initial-state gluons, and transverse single-spin asymmetries of the $J/ψ$ can provide access to gluon dynamics within the nucleon. Such asymmetries may also shed light on the long-standing question in QCD of the $J/ψ$ production mechanism. Asymmetries were obtained as a function of $J/ψ$ transverse momentum and Feynman-$x$, with a value of $-0.086 \pm 0.026^{\rm stat} \pm 0.003^{\rm syst}$ in the forward region. This result suggests possible nonzero trigluon correlation functions in transversely polarized protons and, if well defined in this reaction, a nonzero gluon Sivers distribution function.

hep-ex↗

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↗

High p_T Direct Photon and pi^0 Triggered Azimuthal Jet Correlations in sqrt(s)=200 GeV p+p Collisions

Correlations of charged hadrons of 1 < pT < 10 GeV/c with high pT direct photons and pi^ 0 mesons in the range 5 <pT < 15 GeV/c are used to study jet fragmentation in the photon+jet and di-jet channels, respectively. The magnitude of the partonic transverse momentum, kT, is obtained by comparing to a model incorporating a Gaussian kT smearing. The sensitivity of the associated charged hadron spectra to the underlying fragmentation function is tested and the data are compared to calculations using recent global fit results. The shape of the direct photon-associated hadron spectrum as well as its charge asymmetry are found to be consistent with a sample dominated by quark-gluon Compton scattering. No significant evidence of fragmentation photon correlated production is observed within experimental uncertainties.

hep-ex↗

Total cross sections for neutron-nucleus scattering

Systematics of neutron scattering cross sections on various materials for neutron energies up to several hundred MeV are important for ADSS applications. Ramsauer model is well known and widely applied to understand systematics of neutron nucleus total cross sections. In this work, we examined the role of nuclear effective radius parameter (r$_0$) on Ramsauer model fits of neutron total cross sections. We performed Ramsauer model global analysis of the experimental neutron total cross sections reported by W. P. Abfalterer, F. B. Bateman, {\it et. al.,}, from 20MeV to 550MeV for nuclei ranging from Be to U . The global fit functions which can fit total cross section data over periodic table are provided along with the required global set of parameters. The global fits predict within $\pm 8%$ deviation to data, showing the scope for improvement. It has been observed that a finer adjustment of r$_0$ parameter alone can give very good Ramsauer model description of neutron total scattering data within $\pm 4%$ deviation. The required r$_0$ values for Ramsauer model fits are shown as a function of nuclear mass number and an empirical formula is suggested for r$_0$ values as a function of mass number. In optical model approach for neutron scattering, we have modified the real part of Koning-Deleroche potentails to fit the neutron total cross sections using SCAT2 code. The modified potentails have a different energy dependence beyond 200MeV of neutron energy and fit the total cross sections from Al to Pb.

nucl-th↗

Transverse momentum dependence of eta meson suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV

New measurements by the PHENIX experiment at RHIC for eta production at midrapidity as a function of transverse momentum (p_T) and collision centrality in sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV Au+Au and p+p collisions are presented. They indicate nuclear modification factors (R_AA) that are similar both in magnitude and trend to those found in earlier pi^0 measurements. Linear fits to R_AA in the 5--20 GeV/c p_T region show that the slope is consistent with zero within two standard deviations at all centralities although a slow rise cannot be excluded. Having different statistical and systematic uncertainties the pi^0 and eta measurements are complementary at high p_T; thus, along with the extended p_T range of these data they can provide additional constraints for theoretical modeling and the extraction of transport properties.

nucl-ex↗

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.

nucl-ex↗

Measurement of neutral mesons in p+p collisions at sqrt(s) = 200 GeV and scaling properties of hadron production

The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has measured the invariant differential cross section for production of K^0_S , ω, ηprime, and ϕmesons in p + p collisions at = 200 GeV. Measurements ωand ϕproduction in different decay channels give consistent results. New results for the ϕare in agreement with previously published data and extend the measured pT coverage. The spectral shapes of all hadron transverse momentum distributions measured by PHENIX are well described by a Tsallis distribution functional form with only two parameters, n and T, determining the high-pT and characterizing the low-pT regions of the spectra, respectively. The values of these parameters are very similar for all analyzed meson spectra, but with a lower parameter T extracted for protons. The integrated invariant cross sections calculated from the fitted distributions are found to be consistent with existing measurements and with statistical model predictions.

hep-ex↗

Anatomy of neck configuration in fission decay

The anatomy of neck configuration in the fission decay of Uranium and Thorium isotopes is investigated in a microscopic study using Relativistic mean field theory. The study includes $^{236}U$ and $^{232}Th$ in the valley of stability and exotic neutron rich isotopes $^{250}U$, $^{256}U$, $^{260}U$, $^{240}Th$, $^{250}Th$, $^{256}Th$ likely to play important role in the r-process nucleosynthesis in stellar evolution. Following the static fission path, the neck configurations are generated and their composition in terms of the number of neutrons and protons are obtained showing the progressive rise in the neutron component with the increase of mass number. Strong correlation between the neutron multiplicity in the fission decay and the number of neutrons in the neck is seen. The maximum neutron-proton ratio is about 5 for $^{260}$U and $^{256}$Th suggestive of the break down of liquid-drop picture and inhibition of the fission decay in still heavier isotopes. Neck as precursor of a new mode of fission decay like multi-fragmentation fission may also be inferred from this study.

nucl-th↗

Nuclear modification factors of phi mesons in d+Au, Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at sqrt(S_NN)=200 GeV

The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) has performed systematic measurements of phi meson production in the K+K- decay channel at midrapidity in p+p, d+Au, Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at sqrt(S_NN)=200 GeV. Results are presented on the phi invariant yield and the nuclear modification factor R_AA for Au+Au and Cu+Cu, and R_dA for d+Au collisions, studied as a function of transverse momentum (1<p_T<7 GeV/c) and centrality. In central and mid-central Au+Au collisions, the R_AA of phi exhibits a suppression relative to expectations from binary scaled p+p results. The amount of suppression is smaller than that of the neutral pion and the eta meson in the intermediate p_T range (2--5 GeV/c); whereas at higher p_T the phi, pi^0, and eta show similar suppression. The baryon (protons and anti-protons) excess observed in central Au+Au collisions at intermediate p_T is not observed for the phi meson despite the similar mass of the proton and the phi. This suggests that the excess is linked to the number of constituent quarks rather than the hadron mass. The difference gradually disappears with decreasing centrality and for peripheral collisions the R_AA values for both particles are consistent with binary scaling. Cu+Cu collisions show the same yield and suppression as Au+Au collisions for the same number of N_part. The R_dA of phi shows no evidence for cold nuclear effects within uncertainties.

nucl-ex↗

Trends in Yield and Azimuthal Shape Modification in Dihadron Correlations in Relativistic Heavy Ion Collisions

Fast parton probes produced by hard scattering and embedded within collisions of large nuclei have shown that partons suffer large energy loss and that the produced medium may respond collectively to the lost energy. We present measurements of neutral pion trigger particles at transverse momenta p^t_T = 4-12 GeV/c and associated charged hadrons (p^a_T = 0.5-7 GeV/c) as a function of relative azimuthal angle Delta Phi at midrapidity in Au+Au and p+p collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV. These data lead to two major observations. First, the relative angular distribution of low momentum hadrons, whose shape modification has been interpreted as a medium response to parton energy loss, is found to be modified only for p^t_T < 7 GeV/c. At higher p^t_T, the data are consistent with unmodified or very weakly modified shapes, even for the lowest measured p^a_T. This observation presents a quantitative challenge to medium response scenarios. Second, the associated yield of hadrons opposite to the trigger particle in Au+Au relative to that in p+p (I_AA) is found to be suppressed at large momentum (IAA ~ 0.35-0.5), but less than the single particle nuclear modification factor (R_AA ~0.2).

nucl-ex↗

Radiation hardness qualification of PbWO4 scintillation crystals for the CMS Electromagnetic Calorimeter

Ensuring the radiation hardness of PbWO4 crystals was one of the main priorities during the construction of the electromagnetic calorimeter of the CMS experiment at CERN. The production on an industrial scale of radiation hard crystals and their certification over a period of several years represented a difficult challenge both for CMS and for the crystal suppliers. The present article reviews the related scientific and technological problems encountered.

physics.ins-det↗

Exotic fission properties of highly neutron-rich Uranium isotopes

The series of Uranium isotopes with $N=154 \sim 172$ around the magic number N=162/164 are identified to be thermally fissile. The thermal neutron fission of a typical representative $^{249}$U of this region amenable to synthesis in the radioactive ion beam facilities is considered here. Semiempirical study of fission barrier height and width shows this nucleus to be infinitely stable against spontaneous fission due to increase in barrier width arising out of excess neutrons. Calculation of probability of fragment mass yields and microscopic study in relativistic mean field theory, show this nucleus to undergo a new mode of thermal fission decay termed {\it multifragmentation fission} where a number of prompt scission neutrons are simultaneously released along with the two heavy fission fragments.

nucl-th↗

New features in the stability and fission decay of superheavy Thorium isotopes

Superheavy isotopes are highly neutron rich nuclei in the vicinity of neutron drip-line, stabilized by shell effect against the instability due to repulsive component of nuclear force, analogous to superheavy elements similarly stabilized against Coulomb instability. Here we discuss the stability and fission decay properties of such nuclei in the $^{254}$Th region and show that they are stable against $α$ and fission decay and have $β$-decay life time of several tens of seconds. In particular, the $^{254}$Th nucleus has a low fission barrier and unusally large barrier width. This makes it an ideal thermally fissile nucleus, if formed by means of a thermal neutron, like other known nuclei such as $^{233}$U, $^{235}$U, $^{239}$Pu in this actinide region. It shows a new mode of fast fission decay, which may be termed as multifragmentation fission, in which in addition to two heavy fragments large number of scission neutrons are simultaneously produced. Its likely synthesis during the r-process nucleosynthesis will have important bearing on steller evolution, and here in the laboratory, it has great potential in energy production.

nucl-th↗

Hard Photon production from unsaturated quark gluon plasma at two loop level

The hard photon productions from bremsstrahlung and annihilation with scattering that arise at two loop level are estimated from a chemically non-equilibrated quark gluon plasma using the frame work of thermal field theory. Although, the rate of photon production is suppressed due to unsaturated phase space, the above suppression is relatively smaller than expected due to an additional collinear enhancement (arise due to decrease in thermal quark mass) as compared to it's equilibrium counterpart. Interestingly, unlike the one loop case, the reduction in the two loop processes are found to be independent of gluon chemical poential, but strongly depends on quark fugacity. It is also found that, since the phase space suppression is highest for annihilation with scattering, the photon production is entirely dominated by bremsstrahlung mechanism at all energies. This is to be contrasted with the case of the equilibrated plasma where annihilation with scattering dominates the photon production particularly at higher energies.

hep-ph↗