Baryon Stopping as a new Probe of Geometric Scaling

Abstract

We suggest to use net-baryon rapidity distributions in central relativistic heavy-ion collisions at SPS, RHIC and LHC energies in order to probe saturation physics. Within the color glass condensate framework based on small-coupling QCD, net-baryon rapidity distributions are shown to exhibit geometric scaling. In a comparison with RHIC data in Au + Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 62.4 GeV and 200 GeV the gradual approach to the gluon saturation regime is investigated. Predictions for net-baryon rapidity spectra and the mean rapidity loss in central Pb + Pb collisions at LHC energies of sqrt (s_NN) = 5.5 TeV are made.Comment: 4 pages 3 figures; calculation and figures now for net baryons instead of net protons; modified conclusion