Systematic study of charged-pion and kaon femtoscopy in Au + Au collisions atsNN=200GeV

We present a systematic study of charged-pion and kaon interferometry in Au + Au collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV. The kaon mean source radii are found to be larger than pion radii in the outward and longitudinal directions for the same transverse mass; this difference increases for more central collisions. The azimuthal-angle dependence of the radii was measured with respect to the second-order event plane and similar oscillations of the source radii were found for pions and kaons. Hydrodynamic models qualitatively describe the similar oscillations of the mean source radii for pions and kaons, but they do not fully describe the transverse-mass dependence of the oscillations.

Medium Modification of Jet Fragmentation inAu+AuCollisions atsNN=200  GeVMeasured in Direct Photon-Hadron Correlations

The jet fragmentation function is measured with direct photon-hadron correlations in p + p and Au + Au collisions at root S-NN = 200 GeV. The P-T of the photon is an excellent approximation to the initial P-T of the jet and the ratio Z(T) = P-T(h)/P-T(gamma) is used as a proxy for the jet fragmentation function. A statistical subtraction is used to extract the direct photon-hadron yields in Au + Au collisions while a photon isolation cut is applied in p + p. I-AA, the ratio of hadron yield opposite the photon in Au + Au to that in p + p, indicates modification of the jet fragmentation function. Suppression, most likely due to energy loss in the medium, is seen at high Z(T). The associated h…

The PHENIX Collaboration

Cross Section and Parity-Violating Spin Asymmetries ofW±Boson Production in Polarizedp+pCollisions ats=500  GeV

Large parity-violating longitudinal single-spin asymmetries A(L)(e+) = 0.86(-0.14)(+0.30) and Ae(L)(e-) = 0.88(-0.71)(+0.12) are observed for inclusive high transverse momentum electrons and positrons in polarized p + p collisions at a center-of-mass energy of root s = 500 GeV with the PHENIX detector at RHIC. These e(+/-) come mainly from the decay of W-+/- and Z(0) bosons, and their asymmetries directly demonstrate parity violation in the couplings of the W-+/- to the light quarks. The observed electron and positron yields were used to estimate W-+/- boson production cross sections for the e(+/-) channels of sigma(pp -> W+X) X BR(W+ -> e(+) nu(e)) = 144.1 +/- 21.2(stat)(-10.3)(+3.4)(syst)…

Cross section forbb¯production via dielectrons ind+ Au collisions atsNN=200GeV

We report a measurement of e+e− pairs from semileptonic heavy-flavor decays in d+Au collisions at sNN−−−√=200 GeV. By exploring the mass and transverse-momentum dependence of the yield, the bottom decay contribution can be isolated from charm, and quantified by comparison to pythia and mc@nlo simulations. The resulting bb¯-production cross section is σdAubb¯=1.37±0.28(stat)±0.46(syst) mb, which is equivalent to a nucleon-nucleon cross section of σNNbb=3.4±0.8(stat)±1.1(syst)μb.

Υ(1S+2S+3S)production ind+Au andp+pcollisions atsNN=200GeV and cold-nuclear-matter effects

The three gamma states, gamma (1S + 2S + 3S), are measured in d + Au and p + p collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV and rapidities 1.2 < vertical bar y vertical bar < 2.2 by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Cross sections for the inclusive gamma (1S + 2S + 3S) production are obtained. The inclusive yields per binary collision for d + Au collisions relative to those in p + p collisions (R-dAu) are found to be 0.62 +/- 0.26 (stat) +/- 0.13 (syst) in the gold-going direction and 0.91 +/- 0.33 (stat) +/- 0.16 (syst) in the deuteron-going direction. The measured results are compared to a nuclear-shadowing model, EPS09 [Eskola et al., J. High Energy Phys. 04 (2009) 065]…

Measurement ofΥ(1S+2S+3S)production inp+pand Au + Au collisions atsNN=200GeV

Measurements of bottomonium production in heavy-ion and p + p collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) are presented. The inclusive yield of the three states, (1S + 2S + 3S), was measured in the PHENIX experiment via electron-positron decay pairs at midrapidity for Au + Au and p + p collisions at root sNN = 200 GeV. The (1S + 2S + 3S) -> e(+)e(-) differential cross section at midrapidity was found to be B(ee)d sigma/dy = 108 +/- 38 (stat) +/- 15 (syst) +/- 11 (luminosity) pb in p + p collisions. The nuclear modification factor in the 30% most central Au + Au collisions indicates a suppression of the total. state yield relative to the extrapolation from p + p collision data. …

Cross section and transverse single-spin asymmetry ofηmesons inp↑+pcollisions ats=200  GeVat forward rapidity

We present a measurement of the cross section and transverse single-spin asymmetry (AN) for. mesons at large pseudorapidity from root s = 200 GeV p up arrow + p collisions. The measured cross section for 0.5 = 0.061 +/- 0.014. The results are consistent with prior transverse single-spin measurements of forward eta and pi(0) mesons at various energies in overlapping x(F) ranges. Comparison of different particle species can help to determine the origin of the large observed asymmetries in p up arrow + p collisions.

Measurement of the relative yields of ψ(2S) to ψ(1S) mesons produced at forward and backward rapidity in p+p , p+Al , p+Au , and He3+Au collisions at sNN=200 GeV

The PHENIX Collaboration has measured the ratio of the yields of ψ(2S) to ψ(1S) mesons produced in p+p, p+Al, p+Au, and He3+Au collisions at sNN=200 GeV over the forward and backward rapidity intervals 1.2<|y|<2.2. We find that the ratio in p+p collisions is consistent with measurements at other collision energies. In collisions with nuclei, we find that in the forward (p-going or He3-going) direction, the relative yield of ψ(2S) mesons to ψ(1S) mesons is consistent with the value measured in p+p collisions. However, in the backward (nucleus-going) direction, the ψ(2S) meson is preferentially suppressed by a factor of ∼2. This suppression is attributed in some models to the breakup of the w…

Cold-Nuclear-Matter Effects on Heavy-Quark Production at Forward and Backward Rapidity ind+AuCollisions atsNN=200  GeV

The PHENIX experiment has measured open heavy-flavor production via semileptonic decay over the transverse momentum range 1 < p(T) < 6 GeV/c at forward and backward rapidity (1.4 < vertical bar y vertical bar < 2.0) in d + Au and p + p collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV. In central d + Au collisions, relative to the yield in p + p collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions, a suppression is observed at forward rapidity (in the d-going direction) and an enhancement at backward rapidity (in the Au-going direction). Predictions using nuclear-modified-parton-distribution functions, even with additional nuclear-p(T) broadening, cannot simultaneously reproduce the data a…

Heavy-quark production and elliptic flow in Au + Au collisions atsNN=62.4GeV

We present measurements of electrons and positrons from the semileptonic decays of heavy-flavor hadrons at midrapidity (|y|< 0.35) in Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−−√=62.4 GeV. The data were collected in 2010 by the PHENIX experiment that included the new hadron-blind detector. The invariant yield of electrons from heavy-flavor decays is measured as a function of transverse momentum in the range 1<peT<5 GeV/c. The invariant yield per binary collision is slightly enhanced above the p+p reference in Au+Au 0%–20%, 20%–40%, and 40%–60% centralities at a comparable level. At this low beam energy this may be a result of the interplay between initial-state Cronin effects, final-state flow, and energy …

Low-momentum direct-photon measurement in Cu + Cu collisions at sNN=200GeV

We measured direct photons for pT<5GeV/c in minimum bias and 0%–40% most-central events at midrapidity for Cu+Cu collisions at sNN=200GeV. The e+e− contribution from quasireal direct virtual photons has been determined as an excess over the known hadronic contributions in the e+e− mass distribution. A clear enhancement of photons over the binary scaled p+p fit is observed for pT<4GeV/c in Cu+Cu data. The pT spectra are consistent with the Au+Au data covering a similar number of participants. The inverse slopes of the exponential fits to the excess after subtraction of the p+p baseline are 285±53(stat)±57(syst)MeV/c and 333±72(stat)±45(syst)MeV/c for minimum bias and 0%–40% most-central even…

Quadrupole Anisotropy in Dihadron Azimuthal Correlations in Centrald+AuCollisions atsNN=200  GeV

The PHENIX collaboration at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) reports measurements of azimuthal dihadron correlations near midrapidity in d + Au collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV. These measurements complement recent analyses by experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) involving central p + Pb collisions at root s(NN) = 5.02 TeV, which have indicated strong anisotropic long-range correlations in angular distributions of hadron pairs. The origin of these anisotropies is currently unknown. Various competing explanations include parton saturation and hydrodynamic flow. We observe qualitatively similar, but larger, anisotropies in d + Au collisions at RHIC compared to those seen…

Cold Nuclear Matter Effects onJ/ψYields as a Function of Rapidity and Nuclear Geometry ind+ACollisions atsNN=200  GeV

We present measurements of J/psi yields in d + Au collisions at root S-NN = 200 GeV recorded by the PHENIX experiment and compare them 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. In order to remove model dependent systematic uncertainties we also compare the data to a simple geometric model. The forward rapidity data are inconsistent with nuclear modifications that are linear or exponentia…

Centrality categorization forRp(d)+Ain high-energy collisions

High-energy proton- and deuteron-nucleus collisions provide an excellent tool for studying a wide array of physics effects, including modifications of parton distribution functions in nuclei, gluon saturation, and color neutralization and hadronization in a nuclear environment, among others. All of these effects are expected to have a significant dependence on the size of the nuclear target and the impact parameter of the collision, also known as the collision centrality. In this article, we detail a method for determining centrality classes in p(d) + A collisions via cuts on the multiplicity at backward rapidity (i.e., the nucleus-going direction) and for determining systematic uncertainti…

Cold-nuclear-matter effects on heavy-quark production at forward and backward rapidity in d + Au collisions at √sNN = 200  GeV.

The PHENIX experiment has measured open heavy-flavor production via semileptonic decay over the transverse momentum range 1p(T)6  GeV/c at forward and backward rapidity (1.4|y|2.0) in d+Au and p + p collisions at √sNN = 200  GeV. In central d+Au collisions, relative to the yield in p + p collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions, a suppression is observed at forward rapidity (in the d-going direction) and an enhancement at backward rapidity (in the Au-going direction). Predictions using nuclear-modified-parton-distribution functions, even with additional nuclear-p(T) broadening, cannot simultaneously reproduce the data at both rapidity ranges, which implies that t…

Direct photon production ind+Au collisions atsNN=200GeV

Direct photons have been measured in root s(NN) = 200 GeV d + Au collisions at midrapidity. A wide p(T) range is covered by measurements of nearly real virtual photons (1 < p(T) < 6 GeV/c) and real photons (5 < p(T) < 16 GeV/c). The invariant yield of the direct photons in d + Au collisions over the scaled p + p cross section is consistent with unity. Theoretical calculations assuming standard cold-nuclear-matter effects describe the data well for the entire p(T) range. This indicates that the large enhancement of direct photons observed in Au + Au collisions for 1.0 < p(T) < 2.5 GeV/c is attributable to a source other than the initial-state nuclear effects.

Evolution ofπ0Suppression inAu+AuCollisions fromsNN=39to 200 GeV

Neutral-pion pi(0) spectra were measured at midrapidity (vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.35) in Au + Au collisions at root s(NN) = 39 and 62.4 GeV and compared with earlier measurements at 200 GeV in a transverse-momentum range of 1 < p(T) < 10 GeV/c. The high-p(T) tail is well described by a power law in all cases, and the powers decrease significantly with decreasing center-of-mass energy. The change of powers is very similar to that observed in the corresponding spectra for p + p collisions. The nuclear modification factors (RAA) show significant suppression, with a distinct energy, centrality, and p(T) dependence. Above p(T) = 7 GeV/c, R-AA is similar for root sNN = 62.4 and 200 GeV at …

Polarization and cross section of midrapidity J/ψ production in p+p collisions at s=510  GeV

The PHENIX experiment has measured the spin alignment for inclusive J/ψ→e+e- decays in proton-proton collisions at s=510 GeV at midrapidity. The angular distributions have been measured in three different polarization frames, and the three decay angular coefficients have been extracted in a full two-dimensional analysis. Previously, PHENIX saw large longitudinal net polarization at forward rapidity at the same collision energy. This analysis at midrapidity, complementary to the previous PHENIX results, sees no sizable polarization in the measured transverse momentum range of 0.0

Nuclear Modification ofψ′,χc, andJ/ψProduction ind+AuCollisions atsNN=200  GeV

We present results for three charmonia states (psi' chi(c), and J/ psi) in d + Au collisions at vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.35 and root s(NN) = 200 GeV. We find that the modification of the psi' yield relative to that of the J/ psi scales approximately with charged particle multiplicity at midrapidity across p + A, d + Au, and A + A results from the Super Proton Synchrotron and the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. In large-impact-parameter collisions we observe a similar suppression for the psi' and J/ psi, while in small-impact-parameter collisions the more weakly bound psi' is more strongly suppressed. Owing to the short time spent traversing the Au nucleus, the larger psi' suppressio…

Inclusive double-helicity asymmetries in neutral-pion and eta-meson production inp→+p→collisions ats=200  GeV

Results are presented from data recorded in 2009 by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider for the double-longitudinal spin asymmetry, A(LL), for pi(0) and eta production in root s = 200 GeV polarized p + p collisions. Comparison of the pi(0) results with different theory expectations based on fits of other published data showed a preference for small positive values of gluon polarization, Delta G, in the proton in the probed Bjorken x range. The effect of adding the new 2009 pi(0) data to a recent global analysis of polarized scattering data is also shown, resulting in a best fit Delta G(DSSV)([0.05,0.2]) = 0.06(-0.15)(+0.11) in the range 0.05 < x < 0.2, with the unce…

Low-mass vector-meson production at forward rapidity inp+pcollisions ats=200  GeV

The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has measured low-mass vector-meson ,omega, rho, and phi, production through the dimuon decay channel at forward rapidity (1.2 mu mu) = 80 +/- 6(stat) +/- 12(syst)nb and d sigma/dy(phi -> mu mu) = 27 +/- 3(stat) +/- 4(syst)nb. These results are compared with midrapidity measurements and calculations.

Measurement of Long-Range Angular Correlation and Quadrupole Anisotropy of Pions and (Anti)Protons in Centrald+AuCollisions atsNN=200GeV

We present azimuthal angular correlations between charged hadrons and energy deposited in calorimeter towers in central d+Au and minimum bias p+p collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV. The charged hadron is measured at midrapidity |η| 2.75 is observed in d+Au collisions. Using the event plane method applied to the Au-going energy distribution, we extract the anisotropy strength v_{2} for inclusive charged hadrons at midrapidity up to p_{T}=4.5 GeV/c. We also present the measurement of v_{2} for identified π^{±} and (anti)protons in central d+Au collisions, and observe a mass-ordering pattern similar to that seen in heavy-ion collisions. These results are compared with viscous hydrodynamic calc…

Spectra and ratios of identified particles in Au+Au andd+Au collisions atsNN=200GeV

The transverse momentum (p(T)) spectra and ratios of identified charged hadrons (pi(+/-), K-+/-, p, (p) over bar) produced in root s(NN) = 200 GeV Au + Au and d + Au collisions are reported in five different centrality classes for each collision species. The measurements of pions and protons are reported up to p(T) = 6 GeV/c (5 GeV/c), and the measurements of kaons are reported up to p(T) = 4 GeV/c (3.5 GeV/c) in Au + Au (d + Au) collisions. In the intermediate p(T) region, between 2 and 5 GeV/c, a significant enhancement of baryon-to-meson ratios compared to those measured in p + p collisions is observed. This enhancement is present in both Au + Au and d + Au collisions and increases as th…

Measurement of J/ψ at forward and backward rapidity in p+p , p+Al , p+Au , and He3+Au collisions at sNN=200 GeV

Charmonium is a valuable probe in heavy-ion collisions to study the properties of the quark gluon plasma, and is also an interesting probe in small collision systems to study cold nuclear matter effects, which are also present in large collision systems. With the recent observations of collective behavior of produced particles in small system collisions, measurements of the modification of charmonium in small systems have become increasingly relevant. We present the results of J/ψ measurements at forward and backward rapidity in various small collision systems, p+p, p+Al, p+Au, and He3+Au, at sNN=200 GeV. The results are presented in the form of the observable RAB, the nuclear modification …

Cross section and longitudinal single-spin asymmetry AL for forward W±→μ±ν production in polarized p+p collisions at s=510  GeV

We have measured the cross section and single-spin asymmetries from forward W±→μ±ν production in longitudinally polarized p+p collisions at s=510 GeV using the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The cross sections are consistent with previous measurements at this collision energy, while the most forward and backward longitudinal single spin asymmetries provide new insights into the sea quark helicities in the proton. The charge of the W bosons provides a natural flavor separation of the participating partons. © 2018 authors. Published by the American Physical Society.

Search for dark photons from neutral meson decays inp+pandd+Aucollisions atsNN=200 GeV

The standard model (SM) of particle physics is spectacularly successful, yet the measured value of the muon anomalous magnetic moment (g−2)μ deviates from SM calculations by 3.6σ. Several theoretical models attribute this to the existence of a “dark photon,” an additional U(1) gauge boson, which is weakly coupled to ordinary photons. The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has searched for a dark photon, U, in π0,η→γe+e− decays and obtained upper limits of O(2×10−6) on U−γ mixing at 90% C.L. for the mass range 30<mU<90 MeV/c2. Combined with other experimental limits, the remaining region in the U−γ mixing parameter space that can explain the (g−2)μ deviation from its SM…

Nonperturbative-transverse-momentum effects and evolution in dihadron and direct photon-hadron angular correlations in p+p collisions at s=510  GeV

Dihadron and isolated direct photon-hadron angular correlations are measured in $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=510$ GeV. Correlations of charged hadrons of $0.7<p_T<10$ GeV/$c$ with $\pi^0$ mesons of $4<p_T<15$ GeV/$c$ or isolated direct photons of $7<p_T<15$ GeV/$c$ are used to study nonperturbative effects generated by initial-state partonic transverse momentum and final-state transverse momentum from fragmentation. The nonperturbative behavior is characterized by measuring the out-of-plane transverse momentum component $p_{\rm out}$ perpendicular to the axis of the trigger particle, which is the high-$p_T$ direct photon or $\pi^0$. Nonperturbative evolution effects are extracted from …

Nuclear matter effects onJ/ψproduction in asymmetric Cu + Au collisions atsNN=200GeV

We report on J/psi production from asymmetric Cu + Au heavy-ion collisions at root S-NN = 200 GeV at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at both forward (Cu-going direction) and backward (Au-going direction) rapidities. The nuclear modification of J/psi yields in Cu + Au collisions in the Au-going direction is found to be comparable to that inAu + Au collisions when plotted as a function of the number of participating nucleons. In the Cu-going direction, J/psi production shows a stronger suppression. This difference is comparable in magnitude and has the same sign as the difference expected from shadowing effects due to stronger low-x gluon suppression in the larger Au nucleus.

Dielectron production in Au + Au collisions atsNN=200GeV

We present measurements of e+e- production at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at sNN=200 GeV. The invariant yield is studied within the PHENIX detector acceptance over a wide range of mass (mee<5 GeV/c2) and pair transverse momentum (pT<5 GeV/c) for minimum bias and for five centrality classes. The e+e- yield is compared to the expectations from known sources. In the low-mass region (mee=0.30-0.76 GeV/c2) there is an enhancement that increases with centrality and is distributed over the entire pair pT range measured. It is significantly smaller than previously reported by the PHENIX experiment and amounts to 2.3±0.4(stat)±0.4(syst)±0.2(model) or to 1.7±0.3(stat)±0.3(syst)±0.2(model) for min…

Transverse-momentum dependence of theJ/ψnuclear modification ind+Au collisions atsNN=200GeV

We present measured J/psi production rates in d + Au collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV over broad ranges of transverse momentum (p(T) = 0-14 GeV/c) and rapidity (-2.2 1) for p(T) > 2 GeV/c. The observed enhancement at negative rapidity has implications for the interpretation of the observed modification in heavy-ion collisions at high p(T). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevC.87.034904

Measurement ofKS0andK*0inp+p,d+Au, and Cu + Cu collisions atsNN=200 GeV

The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has performed a systematic study of K-S(0) and K*(0) meson production at midrapidity in p + p, d + Au, and Cu + Cu collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV. The K-S(0) and K*(0) mesons are reconstructed via their K-S(0) -> pi(0)(-> gamma gamma) pi(0)(-> gamma gamma) and K*(0) -> K-+/-pi(-/+) decay modes, respectively. The measured transverse-momentum spectra are used to determine the nuclear modification factor of K-S(0) and K*(0) mesons in d + Au and Cu + Cu collisions at different centralities. In the d + Au collisions, the nuclear modification factor of K-S(0) and K*(0) mesons is almost constant as a function of transverse momentum a…

J/ψsuppression at forward rapidity in Au+Au collisions atsNN=39and 62.4 GeV

We present measurements of the J/psi invariant yields in root s(NN) = 39 and 62.4 GeV Au + Au collisions at forward rapidity (1.2 < vertical bar y vertical bar < 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 compe…

Centrality dependence of low-momentum direct-photon production inAu+Aucollisions atsNN=200 GeV

The PHENIX experiment at RHIC has measured the centrality dependence of the direct photon yield from Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−√=200 GeV down to pT=0.4 GeV/c. Photons are detected via photon conversions to e+e− pairs and an improved technique is applied that minimizes the systematic uncertainties that usually limit direct photon measurements, in particular at low pT. We find an excess of direct photons above the Ncoll-scaled yield measured in p+p collisions. This excess yield is well described by an exponential distribution with an inverse slope of about 240MeV/c in the pT range 0.6–2.0 GeV/c. While the shape of the pT distribution is independent of centrality within the experimental uncert…

Measurements of Elliptic and Triangular Flow in High-MultiplicityHe3+AuCollisions atsNN=200  GeV

We present the first measurement of elliptic ($v_2$) and triangular ($v_3$) flow in high-multiplicity $^{3}$He$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV. Two-particle correlations, where the particles have a large separation in pseudorapidity, are compared in $^{3}$He$+$Au and in $p$$+$$p$ collisions and indicate that collective effects dominate the second and third Fourier components for the correlations observed in the $^{3}$He$+$Au system. The collective behavior is quantified in terms of elliptic $v_2$ and triangular $v_3$ anisotropy coefficients measured with respect to their corresponding event planes. The $v_2$ values are comparable to those previously measured in $d$$+$Au collis…