Observation of charge-dependent azimuthal correlations and possible local strong parity violation in heavy-ion collisions
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Abelev-2010-Observation of charg.pdf
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Author(s)
Balewski, Jan T.
Betancourt, Michael Joseph
Corliss, Ross Cameron
Hoffman, A. M.
Jones, Christopher LaDon
Kocoloski, Adam Philip
Leight, William Axel
Milner, Richard G.
Redwine, Robert P.
Sakuma, Tai
Date Issued
May 2010
Journal
Physical Review C
Publisher
American Physical Society
Citation
STAR Collaboration et al. “Observation of charge-dependent azimuthal correlations and possible local strong parity violation in heavy-ion collisions.” Physical Review C 81.5 (2010): 054908. © 2010 The American Physical Society.
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Parity (P)-odd domains, corresponding to nontrivial topological solutions of the QCD vacuum, might be created during relativistic heavy-ion collisions. These domains are predicted to lead to charge separation of quarks along the orbital momentum of the system created in noncentral collisions. To study this effect, we investigate a three-particle mixed-harmonics azimuthal correlator which is a P-even observable, but directly sensitive to the charge-separation effect. We report measurements of this observable using the STAR detector in Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at [sqrt]sNN=200 and 62 GeV. The results are presented as a function of collision centrality, particle separation in rapidity, and particle transverse momentum. A signal consistent with several of the theoretical expectations is detected in all four data sets. We compare our results to the predictions of existing event generators and discuss in detail possible contributions from other effects that are not related to P violation.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Physics
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Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use.
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.81.054908
