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Anomalous centrality evolution of two-particle angular correlations from Au-Au collisions at [√ over s[subscript NN]]=62 and 200 GeV

Author(s)
Balewski, Jan T.; Betancourt, Michael Joseph; Leight, William Axel; Seele, Joseph Patrick; Surrow, Bernd; van Nieuwenhuizen, Gerrit J; Walker, Matthew H; Corliss, Ross Cameron; Milner, Richard G; Redwine, Robert P; Steadman, Stephen G; ... Show more Show less
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Abstract
We present two-dimensional (2D) two-particle angular correlations measured with the STAR detector on relative pseudorapidity η and azimuth ϕ for charged particles from Au-Au collisions at [√ over s[subscript NN]]=62 and 200 GeV with transverse momentum p[subscript t]≥0.15 GeV/c, |η|≤1, and 2π in azimuth. Observed correlations include a same-side (relative azimuth <π/2) 2D peak, a closely related away-side azimuth dipole, and an azimuth quadrupole conventionally associated with elliptic flow. The same-side 2D peak and away-side dipole are explained by semihard parton scattering and fragmentation (minijets) in proton-proton and peripheral nucleus-nucleus collisions. Those structures follow N-N binary-collision scaling in Au-Au collisions until midcentrality, where a transition to a qualitatively different centrality trend occurs within one 10% centrality bin. Above the transition point the number of same-side and away-side correlated pairs increases rapidly relative to binary-collision scaling, the η width of the same-side 2D peak also increases rapidly (η elongation), and the ϕ width actually decreases significantly. Those centrality trends are in marked contrast with conventional expectations for jet quenching in a dense medium. The observed centrality trends are compared to perturbative QCD predictions computed in hijing, which serve as a theoretical baseline, and to the expected trends for semihard parton scattering and fragmentation in a thermalized opaque medium predicted by theoretical calculations and phenomenological models. We are unable to reconcile a semihard parton scattering and fragmentation origin for the observed correlation structure and centrality trends with heavy-ion collision scenarios that invoke rapid parton thermalization. If the collision system turns out to be effectively opaque to few-GeV partons the present observations would be inconsistent with the minijet picture discussed here.
Date issued
2012-12
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/76805
Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Physics; Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Laboratory for Nuclear Science
Journal
Physical Review C
Publisher
American Physical Society
Citation
Agakishiev, G. et al. “Anomalous centrality evolution of two-particle angular correlations from Au-Au collisions at [√ over s[subscript NN]]=62 and 200 GeV.” Physical Review C 86.6 (2012). © 2012 American Physical Society
Version: Final published version
ISSN
0556-2813
1089-490X

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