Model-Independent Source Imaging Using Two-Pion Correlations in $(2$ to $8)\mathit{A}\mathrm{GeV}$ $Au+Au$ Collisions

We report a particle source imaging analysis based on two-pion correlations in high multiplicity $\mathrm{Au}+\mathrm{Au}$ collisions at beam energies between $2A$ and $8A\mathrm{GeV}$. We apply the imaging technique introduced by Brown and Danielewicz, which allows a model-independent extraction of source functions with useful accuracy out to relative pion separations of about 20 fm. The extracted source functions have Gaussian shapes. Values of source functions at zero separation are almost constant across the energy range under study. Imaging results are found to be consistent with conventional source parameters obtained from a multidimensional Hanburg-Brown–Twiss analysis.