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Can \(\phi\) mesons give an answer to the baryon puzzle at RHIC?

  • Experimental Physics
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Abstract.

The PHENIX experiment at RHIC has observed a large enhancement of baryon and anti-baryon production at \(\approx\) 2-5 GeV/c, compared to expectations from jet fragmentation. While a number of theoretical interpretations of the data are available, there is not yet a definitive answer to the "baryon puzzle". We investigate the centrality dependence of \(\phi\)-meson production at mid-rapidity in Au + Au collisions with \(\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 200\) GeV. Comparison with the proton and anti-proton spectra reveal similar shapes, as expected for soft production described by hydrodynamics. However, the absolute yields show a different centrality dependence. The nuclear modification factors for \(\phi\) are similar to those of pions, rather than (anti)protons that have similar mass. At intermediate , baryon/meson effects seem to be more important than the mass effects, in support of recombination models.

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Authors
  1. J. Velkovska
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on behalf ot the PHENIX Collaboration

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Arrival of the final proofs: 30 June 2005

PACS:

25.75 -q

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Velkovska, J., on behalf ot the PHENIX Collaboration. Can \(\phi\) mesons give an answer to the baryon puzzle at RHIC?. Eur. Phys. J. C 43, 317–322 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s2005-02326-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s2005-02326-6

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