System-size dependence of dihadron azimuthal correlations in
ultra-relativistic heavy ion collision is simulated by a multi-phase transport
model. The structure of correlation functions and yields of associated
particles show clear participant path-length dependences in collision systems
with a partonic phase. The splitting parameter and root-mean-square width of
away-side correlation functions increase with collision system size from
14N+14N to 197Au+197Au collisions. The double-peak
structure of away-side correlation functions can only be formed in sufficient
"large" collision systems under partonic phase. The contrast between the
results with partonic phase and with hadron gas could suggest some hints to
study onset of deconfinment.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, 1 table; Nucl. Phys. A (accepted