83 research outputs found
momentum correlations versus relative azimuth as a sensitive probe for thermalization
In high-energy nuclear collisions at LHC, where a QGP might be created, the
degree of thermalization at the partonic level is a key issue. Due to their
large mass, heavy quarks are a powerful tool to probe thermalization. We
propose to measure azimuthal correlations of heavy-quark hadrons and their
decay products. Changes or even the complete absence of these initially
existing azimuthal correlations in collisions might indicate
thermalization at the partonic level. We present studies with PYTHIA for
collisions at 14 TeV using the two-particle transverse momentum correlator
as a sensitive measure
of potential changes in these azimuthal correlations. Contributions from
transverse radial flow are estimated.Comment: proceedings of the ISMD08 conference, DESY, Hamburg, Germany; to
appear in DESY-PROC, 5 pages, 4 fig
Drift velocity and gain in argon- and xenon-based mixtures
We present measurements of drift velocities and gains in gas mixtures based
on Ar and Xe, with CO2, CH4, and N2 as quenchers, and compare them with
calculations. In particular, we show the dependence of Ar- and Xe-CO2 drift
velocities and gains on the amount of nitrogen contamination in the gas, which
in real experiments may build up through leaks. A quantification of the Penning
mechanism which contributes to the Townsend coefficients of a given gas mixture
is proposed.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Nucl.Instrum.Meth.
A. Data files available at http://www-alice.gsi.de/tr
Correlations of Heavy Quarks Produced at Large Hadron Collider
We study the correlations of heavy quarks produced in relativistic heavy ion
collisions and find them to be quite sensitive to the effects of the medium and
the production mechanisms. In order to put this on a quantitative footing, as a
first step, we analyze the azimuthal, transverse momentum, and rapidity
correlations of heavy quark-anti quark () pairs in
collisions at (). This sets the stage for the
identification and study of medium modification of similar correlations in
relativistic collision of heavy nuclei at the Large Hadron Collider. Next we
study the additional production of charm quarks in heavy ion collisions due to
multiple scatterings, {\it viz.}, jet-jet collisions, jet-thermal collisions,
and thermal interactions. We find that these give rise to azimuthal
correlations which are quite different from those arising from prompt initial
production at leading order and at next to leading order.Comment: 26 pages, 15 figures. Three new figures added, comparison to
experimental data included, abstract and discussion expande
Ultra low energy results and their impact to dark matter and low energy neutrino physics
We present ultra low energy results taken with the novel Spherical
Proportional Counter. The energy threshold has been pushed down to about 25 eV
and single electrons are clearly collected and detected. To reach such
performance low energy calibration systems have been successfully developed: -
A pulsed UV lamp extracting photoelectrons from the inner surface of the
detector - Various radioactive sources allowing low energy peaks through
fluorescence processes. The bench mark result is the observation of a well
resolved peak at 270 eV due to carbon fluorescence which is unique performance
for such large-massive detector. It opens a new window in dark matter and low
energy neutrino search and may allow detection of neutrinos from a nuclear
reactor or from supernova via neutrino-nucleus elastic scatteringComment: 14 pages,16 figure
Neutron spectroscopy with the Spherical Proportional Counter
A novel large volume spherical proportional counter, recently developed, is
used for neutron measurements. Gas mixtures of with and
pure are studied for thermal and fast neutron detection, providing a
new way for the neutron spectroscopy. The neutrons are detected via the
and reactions. Here we
provide studies of the optimum gas mixture, the gas pressure and the most
appropriate high voltage supply on the sensor of the detector in order to
achieve the maximum amplification and better resolution. The detector is tested
for thermal and fast neutrons detection with a and a
neutron source. The atmospheric neutrons are successfully
measured from thermal up to several MeV, well separated from the cosmic ray
background. A comparison of the spherical proportional counter with the current
available neutron counters is also given.Comment: 7 pages, 10 figure
Heavy-quark azimuthal momentum correlations as a sensitive probe of thermalization
In high-energy nuclear collisions the degree of thermalization at the
partonic level is a key issue. Due to their large mass, heavy quarks and their
possible participation in the collective flow of the QCD-medium constitute a
powerful probe for thermalization. We present studies with PYTHIA for p+p
collisions at the top LHC energy of = 14 TeV applying the
two-particle transverse momentum correlator
to pairs of heavy-quark hadrons and their semi-leptonic decay products as a
function of their relative azimuth. Modifications or even the complete absence
of initially existing correlations in Pb+Pb collisions might indicate
thermalization at the partonic level.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figs.; accepted for publication in Nucl. Phys.
Elliptic flow of charged pions, protons and strange particles emitted in Pb+Au collisions at top SPS energy
Differential elliptic flow spectra v2(pT) of \pi-, K0short, p, \Lambda have
been measured at \sqrt(s NN)= 17.3 GeV around midrapidity by the
CERN-CERES/NA45 experiment in mid-central Pb+Au collisions (10% of
\sigma(geo)). The pT range extends from about 0.1 GeV/c (0.55 GeV/c for
\Lambda) to more than 2 GeV/c. Protons below 0.4 GeV/c are directly identified
by dE/dx. At higher pT, proton elliptic flow v2(pT) is derived as a
constituent, besides \pi+ and K+, of the elliptic flow of positive pion
candidates. The retrieval requires additional inputs: (i) of the particle
composition, and (ii) of v2(pT) of positive pions. For (i), particle ratios
obtained by NA49 were adapted to CERES conditions; for (ii), the measured
v2(pT) of negative pions is substituted, assuming \pi+ and \pi- elliptic flow
magnitudes to be sufficiently close. The v2(pT) spectra are compared to
ideal-hydrodynamics calculations. In synopsis of the series \pi- - K0short - p
- \Lambda, flow magnitudes are seen to fall with decreasing pT progressively
even below hydro calculations with early kinetic freeze-out (Tf= 160 MeV)
leaving not much time for hadronic evolution. The proton v2(pT) data show a
downward swing towards low pT with excursions into negative v2 values. The
pion-flow isospin asymmetry observed recently by STAR at RHIC, invalidating in
principle our working assumption, is found in its impact on proton flow
bracketed from above by the direct proton flow data, and not to alter any of
our conclusions. Results are discussed in perspective of recent viscous
dynamics studies which focus on late hadronic stages.Comment: 38 pages, 27 figures, 2 tables. Abstract and parts of introduction
made more comprehensible; corrected typos; acknowledgement added. To appear
in Nucl.Phys.
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