Dielectron Mass Spectra from Au + Au Collisions at √s[subscript NN] = 200 GeV

Abstract

We report the STAR measurements of dielectron (e[superscript +]e[superscript −]) production at midrapidity (|y[subscript ee]| < 1) in Au + Au collisions at √s[subscript NN] = 200 GeV. The measurements are evaluated in different invariant mass regions with a focus on 0.30–0.76 (ρ-like), 0.76–0.80 (ω-like), and 0.98–1.05 (ϕ-like) GeV/c[superscript 2]. The spectrum in the ω-like and ϕ-like regions can be well described by the hadronic cocktail simulation. In the ρ-like region, however, the vacuum ρ spectral function cannot describe the shape of the dielectron excess. In this range, an enhancement of 1.77 ± 0.11(stat) ± 0.24(syst) ± 0.33(cocktail) is determined with respect to the hadronic cocktail simulation that excludes the ρ meson. The excess yield in the ρ-like region increases with the number of collision participants faster than the ω and ϕ yields. Theoretical models with broadened ρ contributions through interactions with constituents in the hot QCD medium provide a consistent description of the dilepton mass spectra for the measurement presented here and the earlier data at the Super Proton Synchrotron energies.