Emission of η meson with high transverse momentum in Au–Au, d–Au and p–p collisions at $$\sqrt{\mathrm{\mit s_{NN}}}=200$$ s NN = 200 GeV

Abstract

Inclusive transverse momentum spectra of η meson in nucleus–nucleus, deuton–nucleus and proton–proton collisions are studied in the framework of a thermalized cylinder model. A single component distribution can only describe a narrow transverse momentum range. In the region of high transverse momentum, the considered distributions of η meson have a tail part at the maximum energy of relativistic heavy ion collider. To explain the wider transverse momentum spectra, we consider the relative importance of hard versus soft processes in the particle production mechanisms. The improved cylinder model utilizing two-component spectra is used to describe the experimental data of the PHENIX Collaboration. It is found that the two-component distribution can describe a broadened range of the transverse momentum. It can offer information about soft and hard interactions in the collisions.