Light-flavour hadron production vs. multiplicity in pp and in p–Pb collisions with ALICE

Abstract

The study of light-flavour hadron production plays an important role in understanding the dynamics of the strongly-interacting system created in high-multiplicity pp and p–Pb collisions at the LHC energies. Historically, it has been assumed that no QGP is formed in small collision systems, but this paradigm is challenged by the observation of collective-like behaviour and strangeness enhancement in high-multiplicity pp and p–Pb collisions. Exploiting its optimal particle identification capabilities, the ALICE experiment is able to measure pion, kaon, (anti-)proton, strange and multi-strange hadron production in a wide transverse momentum range. We report on the study of light-flavour hadron production as a function of multiplicity and center-of-mass energy in pp and p–Pb collisions using the ALICE apparatus. In addition, new multi-differential measurements are presented, comparing identified particle production in the underlying event to the one in jets.