Two- and Three-Particle Jet-Like Correlations

We present results of 2-particle jet-like correlations, with high pT h+- triggers and identified pi+-, p, and pbar triggers in d+Au and Au+Au collisions and 3-particle jet-like azimuthal correlations in pp, d+Au, and Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s)=200 GeV. These results use data from the STAR TPC during RHIC runs II, III, and IV. Modifications in 2-particle correlations are observed in Au+Au collisions. These modifications are not seen in $pp$ or d+Au collisions. This demonstrates that the modifications are due to final state nuclear effects. High pT protons, anti-protons and charged pions are identified by the relativistic rise of dE/dx in the STAR TPC. Correlations of charged hadrons with high pT p, pbar, and pi+- show no discernible difference. The results post challenges to recombination and coalescence models which are otherwise very successful in explaining the large baryon/meson ratio and the splitting of the elliptic flow at intermediate pT. In central Au+Au collisions, the away-side 2-particle correlation is significantly broadened and even double humped in selective kinematic ranges. Three-particle correlations were employed to identify the underlying physics mechanism(s). Results in pp, d+Au and peripheral Au+Au collisions show dijet structure with away-side kT broadening. Results in mid-central and central Au+Au collisions are consistent with a near-side jet and on the away-side a combination of conical emission and large angle gluon radiation and deflected jets. The associated pT independent emission angle suggests Mach-cone shock waves being the underlying physics mechanism for the conical emission. The emission angle is measured to be 1.39+-0.01 (stat.)+-0.04(sys.) in ZDC triggered 0-12% Au+Au data.Comment: Ph.D. Thesis submitted to Purdue University. Some plots replotted to reduce size. Original version at http://amdahl.physics.purdue.edu/~ulery/Thesis/thesis_submit.pd

Three-Particle Azimuthal Correlations

Two-particle azimuthal correlations in central Au+Au collisional at RHIC have revealed a broadened away-side structure, with respect to perpherial Au+Au, pp, and d+Au. This could be explained by different physics mechanisms such as: large angle gluon radiation, deflected jets, Cerenkov gluon radiation, and conical flow generated by hydrodynamic shock-waves. We can discriminate the scenarios with conical emission, Cerenkov radiation and conical flow, from the other mechanisms though three-particle correlations. In addition, the associated particle pT dependence can be used to distinguish conical flow from simple Cerenkov gluon radiation. We will discuss three-particle correlation analyses that have been performed at RHIC and what can be done at the LHC.Comment: Talk given at 'High p_T physics at the LHC', Jyvaskyla, Finland, March 200

Conical Emission in Heavy Ion Collisions

A broadened or double humped away-side structure was observed in 2-particle azimuthal jet-like correlations at RHIC and SPS. This modification can be explained by conical emission, from either Mach-cone shock waves or Cherenkov gluon radiation, and by other physics mechanisms, such as large angle gluon radiation, jets deflected by radial flow and path-length dependent energy loss. Three-particle jet-like correlations are studied for their power to distinguish conical emission from other mechanisms. This article discusses Mach-cone shock waves, Cherenkov gluon radiation and the experimental evidence for conical emission from RHIC and SPS.Comment: Talk given at QM2008, Jaipur, India. 8 pages, 7 figure

Jet-medium interactions in Pb–Pb collisions

Previous experimental measurements from nuclear collisions have indicated modifications of jets by interaction with the medium created in the collision. Observables from particle correlations in the ALICE detector continue to provide access to key properties of the hot deconfined nuclear matter. New results from two- and three-particle number and transverse momentum correlations are discussed. Specifically, correlation function properties are characterized as a function of transverse momentum and centrality and for different charge combinations. Fourier decompositions are performed, identified particle ratios are studied in the jet-like peak and in the bulk, and the away-side shape is looked at in three-particle correlations