The ϕ meson production in small collision systems observed by PHENIX

Mariia Mitrankova,Yaroslav Berdnikov,Alexander Berdnikov,Dmitry Kotov,Iurii Mitrankov

doi:10.1051/epjconf/202225805010

Mariia Mitrankova, Yaroslav Berdnikov + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202225805010

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Abstract

The measurements of light hadron production in small collision systems (such as p+Al, p+Au, d+Au, 3He+Au) may allow to explore the quarkgluon plasma formation and to determine the main hadronization mechanism in the considered collisions. Such research has become particularly crucial with the observation of the light hadrons collective behavior in p/d/3He+Au collisions at √SNN = 200 GeV and in p+Al collisions at the same energy at forward and backward rapidities. Among the large variety of light hadrons, ϕ meson is of particular interest since its production is sensitive to the presence of the quark-gluon plasma. The paper presents the comparison of the obtained experimental results on ϕ meson production to different light hadron production in p+Al and 3He+Au at √SNN = 200 GeV at midrapidity. The comparisons of ϕ meson production in p+Al, p+Au, d+Au, and 3He+Au collisions at √SNN = 200 GeV at midrapidity to theoretical models predictions (PYTHIA model and default and string melting versions of the AMPT model) are also provided. The results suggest that the QGP can be formed in p/d/3He+Au collisions, but the volume and lifetime of the produced medium might be insufficient for observation of strangeness enhancement effect. Conceivably, the main hadronization mechanism of ϕ meson production in p+Al collisions is fragmentation, while in p/d/3He+Au collisions this process occurs via coalescence.

Highlights

The quantum chromodynamics (QCD) predicts [1] that at a sufficiently high temperature and / or density a state of deconfined quarks and gluons, so-called quark-gluon plasma (QGP), is formed
The results suggest that the QGP can be formed in / /3He+Au collisions, but the pd volume and lifetime of the produced medium might be insufficient for observation of strangeness enhancement e↵ect
According to calculations based on the lattice QCD [2], the phase transition from hadron matter to the QGP occurs at the temperature of 150-200 MeV, which corresponds to the energy density of ⇠ 1 GeV/fm3

Summary

Introduction

The quantum chromodynamics (QCD) predicts [1] that at a sufficiently high temperature and / or density a state of deconfined quarks and gluons, so-called quark-gluon plasma (QGP), is formed. According to calculations based on the lattice QCD [2], the phase transition from hadron matter to the QGP occurs at the temperature of 150-200 MeV, which corresponds to the energy density of ⇠ 1 GeV/fm. The comprehensive study of particle production in small collision systems at midrapidity (|⌘| < 0.35) can reveal the main light hadron production mechanism in these systems and the sufficient conditions for the QGP formation. QGP e↵ects may influence the peculiarities of the φ meson production in relativistic ion collisions. ColliTsoioinnsteartprpet experimental = 200 GeV results on φ production in p+Al, at midrapidity, reveal the possible p+Au, d+Au, and 3He+Au QGP e↵ects and distinguish s them from CNM ones the comparisons with all available experimental data and di↵erent theoretical models are provided. To describe the QGP e↵ects the experimental data were compared to the predictions of the string melting version of AMPT [16]

Data analysis and theoretical models

Results

Summary