High transverse momentum η meson production in p+p,d+Au, and Au+Au collisions at sNN=200 GeV

S. S. Adler et al. (PHENIX Collaboration)
Phys. Rev. C 75, 024909 – Published 27 February 2007

Abstract

Inclusive transverse momentum spectra of η mesons in the range pT2–12 GeV/c have been measured at midrapidity (|η|<0.35) by the PHENIX experiment at RHIC in p+p,d+Au, and Au+Au collisions at sNN=200 GeV. The η mesons are reconstructed through their ηγγ channel for the three colliding systems as well as through the ηπ0π+π decay mode in p+p and d+Au collisions. The nuclear modification factor in d+Au collisions, RdAu(pT)1.0–1.1, suggests at most only modest pT broadening (“Cronin enhancement”). In central Au+Au reactions, the η yields are significantly suppressed, with RAuAu(pT)0.2. The ratio of η to π0 yields is approximately constant as a function of pT for the three colliding systems in agreement with the high-pT world average of Rη/π00.5 in hadron-hadron, hadron-nucleus, and nucleus-nucleus collisions for a wide range of center-of-mass energies (sNN3–1800 GeV) as well as, for high scaled momentum xp, in e+e annihilations at s=91.2 GeV. These results are consistent with a scenario where high-pT η production in nuclear collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider is largely unaffected by initial-state effects but where light-quark mesons (π0,η) are equally suppressed due to final-state interactions of the parent partons in the dense medium produced in Au+Au reactions.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
22 More
  • Received 6 November 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.75.024909

©2007 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Click to Expand

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 75, Iss. 2 — February 2007

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review C

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×