Understanding the nature of f0(980) with ALICE at the LHC

The f0(980) resonance had been observed years ago in ππ scattering experiments and is expected to be one of the scalar mesons. Since its first observation in the 1970s, the nature of light scalar mesons is far from the understanding, and no consensus on its internal structure has been reached, raising different suggestions regarding the structure of the f0(980), such as tetraquark, mesonic molecule, and conventional diquark structure. The extreme environment, such as high temperature and density, de- confines quarks and gluons, freeing them and forming the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP), which is expected to be created immediately after the Big Bang. Such an early stage of our universe can be reproduced in relativis- tic heavy ion collisions, providing chances to study the properties of QGP. Extensive studies have been conducted on the geometry, evolution, and particle production of QGP, and its modification, with many scientific ac- ceptances for the existence of QGP. Surprisingly, phenomena exhibiting the existence of QGP are also observed in high-multiplicity proton–proton and proton–ion collisions, leading to further questioning QGP formation. In this respect, the f0(980) resonance is measured with the ALICE detector via the f0(980) → π+π− decay channel in relativistic nucleus– nucleus collisions. The present thesis describes the entire methodology to measure the invariant yield in different multiplicity classes at midra- pidity. The particle yield ratios of the f0(980) resonance are measured to discuss the properties of the late hadronic phase throughout differ- ent collision systems and to explore the internal structure of the f0(980). Furthermore, the measurement of the nuclear modification factor and the elliptic flow and model predictions with different assumptions for the f0(980) strengthen the physics messages in the present thesis

Multiplicity dependence of light (anti-)nuclei production in p–Pb collisions at sNN=5.02 TeV

The measurement of the deuteron and anti-deuteron production in the rapidity range −1 < y < 0 as a function of transverse momentum and event multiplicity in p–Pb collisions at √sNN = 5.02 TeV is presented. (Anti-)deuterons are identified via their specific energy loss dE/dx and via their time-of- flight. Their production in p–Pb collisions is compared to pp and Pb–Pb collisions and is discussed within the context of thermal and coalescence models. The ratio of integrated yields of deuterons to protons (d/p) shows a significant increase as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity of the event starting from values similar to those observed in pp collisions at low multiplicities and approaching those observed in Pb–Pb collisions at high multiplicities. The mean transverse particle momenta are extracted from the deuteron spectra and the values are similar to those obtained for p and particles. Thus, deuteron spectra do not follow mass ordering. This behaviour is in contrast to the trend observed for non-composite particles in p–Pb collisions. In addition, the production of the rare 3He and 3He nuclei has been studied. The spectrum corresponding to all non-single diffractive p-Pb collisions is obtained in the rapidity window −1 < y < 0 and the pT-integrated yield dN/dy is extracted. It is found that the yields of protons, deuterons, and 3He, normalised by the spin degeneracy factor, follow an exponential decrease with mass number

Measurement of prompt D0^{0}, D+^{+}, D∗+^{*+}, and DS+ {\mathrm{D}}_{\mathrm{S}}^{+} production in p–Pb collisions at sNN \sqrt{{\mathrm{s}}_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02 TeV

International audienceThe measurement of the production of prompt D$^{0}$, D$^{+}$, D$^{*+}$, and ${\mathrm{D}}_{\mathrm{S}}^{+}$ mesons in proton–lead (p–Pb) collisions at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV, with an integrated luminosity of 292 ± 11 μb$^{−1}$, are reported. Differential production cross sections are measured at mid-rapidity (−0.96 < y$_{cms}$< 0.04) as a function of transverse momentum (p$_{T}$) in the intervals 0 < p$_{T}$< 36 GeV/c for D$^{0}$, 1 < p$_{T}$< 36 GeV/c for D$^{+}$ and D$^{*+}$, and 2 < p$_{T}$< 24 GeV/c for D$^{+}$ mesons. For each species, the nuclear modification factor R$_{pPb}$ is calculated as a function of p$_{T}$ using a proton-proton (pp) ref- erence measured at the same collision energy. The results are compatible with unity in the whole p$_{T}$ range. The average of the non-strange D mesons R$_{pPb}$ is compared with theoretical model predictions that include initial-state effects and parton transport model predictions. The p$_{T}$ dependence of the D$^{0}$, D$^{+}$, and D$^{*+}$ nuclear modification factors is also reported in the interval 1 < p$_{T}$< 36 GeV/c as a function of the collision centrality, and the central-to-peripheral ratios are computed from the D-meson yields measured in different centrality classes. The results are further compared with charged-particle measurements and a similar trend is observed in all the centrality classes. The ratios of the p$_{T}$-differential cross sections of D$^{0}$, D$^{+}$, D$^{*+}$, and ${\mathrm{D}}_{\mathrm{S}}^{+}$ mesons are also reported. The ${\mathrm{D}}_{\mathrm{S}}^{+}$ and D$^{+}$ yields are compared as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity for several p$_{T}$ intervals. No modification in the relative abundances of the four species is observed with respect to pp collisions within the statistical and systematic uncertainties

Azimuthal correlations of prompt D mesons with charged particles in pp and p–Pb collisions at sNN\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 5.02 TeV

International audienceThe measurement of the azimuthal-correlation function of prompt D mesons with charged particles in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} =5.02\ \hbox {TeV}$ and p–Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02\ \hbox {TeV}$ with the ALICE detector at the LHC is reported. The $\mathrm{D}^{0}$, $\mathrm{D}^{+}$, and $\mathrm{D}^{*+}$ mesons, together with their charge conjugates, were reconstructed at midrapidity in the transverse momentum interval $3 0.3\ \hbox {GeV}/c$ and pseudorapidity $|\eta | < 0.8$. The properties of the correlation peaks appearing in the near- and away-side regions (for $\Delta \varphi \approx 0$ and $\Delta \varphi \approx \pi$, respectively) were extracted via a fit to the azimuthal correlation functions. The shape of the correlation functions and the near- and away-side peak features are found to be consistent in pp and p–Pb collisions, showing no modifications due to nuclear effects within uncertainties. The results are compared with predictions from Monte Carlo simulations performed with the PYTHIA, POWHEG+PYTHIA, HERWIG, and EPOS 3 event generators

Pseudorapidity distributions of charged particles as a function of mid- and forward rapidity multiplicities in pp collisions at s\sqrt{s} = 5.02, 7 and 13 TeV

The multiplicity dependence of the pseudorapidity density of charged particles in proton–proton (pp) collisions at centre-of-mass energies $\sqrt{s}~=~5.02$, 7 and 13 TeV measured by ALICE is reported. The analysis relies on track segments measured in the midrapidity range ($|\eta | < 1.5$). Results are presented for inelastic events having at least one charged particle produced in the pseudorapidity interval $|\eta |<1$. The multiplicity dependence of the pseudorapidity density of charged particles is measured with mid- and forward rapidity multiplicity estimators, the latter being less affected by autocorrelations. A detailed comparison with predictions from the PYTHIA 8 and EPOS LHC event generators is also presented. The results can be used to constrain models for particle production as a function of multiplicity in pp collisions

Measurement of the low-energy antideuteron inelastic cross section

In this Letter, we report the first measurement of the inelastic cross section for antideuteron-nucleus interactions at low particle momenta, covering a range of 0.3 ≤ p < 4 GeV/c. The measurement is carried out using p-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon–nucleon pair of $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC and utilizing the detector material as an absorber for antideuterons and antiprotons. The extracted raw primary antiparticle-to-particle ratios are compared to the results from detailed ALICE simulations based on the geant4 toolkit for the propagation of (anti)particles through the detector material. The analysis of the raw primary (anti)proton spectra serves as a benchmark for this study, since their hadronic interaction cross sections are well constrained experimentally. The first measurement of the inelastic cross section for antideuteron-nucleus interactions averaged over the ALICE detector material with atomic mass numbers ⟨A⟩ = 17.4 and 31.8 is obtained. The measured inelastic cross section points to a possible excess with respect to the Glauber model parametrization used in geant4 in the lowest momentum interval of 0.3 ≤ p < 0.47 GeV/c up to a factor 2.1. This result is relevant for the understanding of antimatter propagation and the contributions to antinuclei production from cosmic ray interactions within the interstellar medium. In addition, the momentum range covered by this measurement is of particular importance to evaluate signal predictions for indirect dark-matter searches

Multiplicity dependence of (multi-)strange hadron production in proton-proton collisions at s\sqrt{s} = 13 TeV

The production rates and the transverse momentum distribution of strange hadrons at mid-rapidity ($\left| y\right| < 0.5$) are measured in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV as a function of the charged particle multiplicity, using the ALICE detector at the LHC. The production rates of $\mathrm{K}^{0}_{S}$, $\Lambda$, $\Xi$, and $\Omega$ increase with the multiplicity faster than what is reported for inclusive charged particles. The increase is found to be more pronounced for hadrons with a larger strangeness content. Possible auto-correlations between the charged particles and the strange hadrons are evaluated by measuring the event-activity with charged particle multiplicity estimators covering different pseudorapidity regions. When comparing to lower energy results, the yields of strange hadrons are found to depend only on the mid-rapidity charged particle multiplicity. Several features of the data are reproduced qualitatively by general purpose QCD Monte Carlo models that take into account the effect of densely-packed QCD strings in high multiplicity collisions. However, none of the tested models reproduce the data quantitatively. This work corroborates and extends the ALICE findings on strangeness production in proton-proton collisions at 7 TeV

Production of charged pions, kaons, and (anti-)protons in Pb-Pb and inelastic pppp collisions at sNN\sqrt {s_{NN}} = 5.02 TeV

International audienceMid-rapidity production of $\pi^{\pm}$, $\rm{K}^{\pm}$ and ($\bar{\rm{p}}$)p measured by the ALICE experiment at the LHC, in Pb-Pb and inelastic pp collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV, is presented. The invariant yields are measured over a wide transverse momentum ($p_{\rm{T}}$) range from hundreds of MeV/$c$ up to 20 GeV/$c$. The results in Pb-Pb collisions are presented as a function of the collision centrality, in the range 0$-$90%. The comparison of the $p_{\rm{T}}$-integrated particle ratios, i.e. proton-to-pion (p/$\pi$) and kaon-to-pion (K/$\pi$) ratios, with similar measurements in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV show no significant energy dependence. Blast-wave fits of the $p_{\rm{T}}$ spectra indicate that in the most central collisions radial flow is slightly larger at 5.02 TeV with respect to 2.76 TeV. Particle ratios (p/$\pi$, K/$\pi$) as a function of $p_{\rm{T}}$ show pronounced maxima at $p_{\rm{T}}$ $\approx$ 3 GeV/$c$ in central Pb-Pb collisions. At high $p_{\rm{T}}$, particle ratios at 5.02 TeV are similar to those measured in pp collisions at the same energy and in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV. Using the pp reference spectra measured at the same collision energy of 5.02 TeV, the nuclear modification factors for the different particle species are derived. Within uncertainties, the nuclear modification factor is particle species independent for high $p_{\rm{T}}$ and compatible with measurements at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV. The results are compared to state-of-the-art model calculations, which are found to describe the observed trends satisfactorily

Study of the Λ\Lambda-Λ\Lambda interaction with femtoscopy correlations in pp and p-Pb collisions at the LHCC

This work presents new constraints on the existence and the binding energy of a possible $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ bound state, the H-dibaryon, derived from $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ femtoscopic measurements by the ALICE collaboration. The results are obtained from a new measurement using the femtoscopy technique in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV and p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02$ TeV, combined with previously published results from pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV. The $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ scattering parameter space, spanned by the inverse scattering length $f_0^{-1}$ and the effective range $d_0$, is constrained by comparing the measured $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ correlation function with calculations obtained within the Lednicky model. The data are compatible with hypernuclei results and lattice computations, both predicting a shallow attractive interaction, and permit to test different theoretical approaches describing the $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ interaction. The region in the $(f_0^{-1},d_0)$ plane which would accommodate a $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ bound state is substantially restricted compared to previous studies. The binding energy of the possible $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ bound state is estimated within an effective-range expansion approach and is found to be $B_{\Lambda\Lambda}=3.2^{+1.6}_{-2.4}\rm{(stat)}^{+1.8}_{-1.0}\rm{(syst)}$ MeV.This work presents new constraints on the existence and the binding energy of a possible Λ–Λ bound state, the H-dibaryon, derived from Λ–Λ femtoscopic measurements by the ALICE collaboration. The results are obtained from a new measurement using the femtoscopy technique in Image 1 collisions at s=13 TeV and p–Pb collisions at sNN=5.02 TeV, combined with previously published results from Image 1 collisions at s=7 TeV. The Λ–Λ scattering parameter space, spanned by the inverse scattering length f0−1 and the effective range d0 , is constrained by comparing the measured Λ–Λ correlation function with calculations obtained within the Lednický model. The data are compatible with hypernuclei results and lattice computations, both predicting a shallow attractive interaction, and permit to test different theoretical approaches describing the Λ–Λ interaction. The region in the (f0−1,d0) plane which would accommodate a Λ–Λ bound state is substantially restricted compared to previous studies. The binding energy of the possible Λ–Λ bound state is estimated within an effective-range expansion approach and is found to be BΛΛ=3.2−2.4+1.6(stat)−1.0+1.8(syst) MeV.This work presents new constraints on the existence and the binding energy of a possible $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ bound state, the H-dibaryon, derived from $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ femtoscopic measurements by the ALICE collaboration. The results are obtained from a new measurement using the femtoscopy technique in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV and p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02$ TeV, combined with previously published results from p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV. The $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ scattering parameter space, spanned by the inverse scattering length $f_0^{-1}$ and the effective range $d_0$, is constrained by comparing the measured $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ correlation function with calculations obtained within the Lednicky model. The data are compatible with hypernuclei results and lattice computations, both predicting a shallow attractive interaction, and permit to test different theoretical approaches describing the $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ interaction. The region in the $(f_0^{-1},d_0)$ plane which would accommodate a $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ bound state is substantially restricted compared to previous studies. The binding energy of the possible $\Lambda$-$\Lambda$ bound state is estimated within an effective-range expansion approach and is found to be $B_{\Lambda\Lambda}=3.2^{+1.6}_{-2.4}\mathrm{(stat)}^{+1.8}_{-1.0}\mathrm{(syst)}$ MeV