Measurements of the nuclear modification factor and elliptic flow of $ϕ$ mesons at RHIC
Abstract
Description
The observation of meson and baryon grouping in the $R_{CP}$ and $v_2$ measurements at intermediate $p_T$ has been interpreted as a manifestation of bulk partonic matter hadronization through multi-parton dynamics such as recombination of partons. $ϕ$ mesons provide unique sensitivity to test these theoretical scenarios, since the $ϕ$ has a mass heavier than the proton and close to the hyperons. The $R_{CP}$ and $v_2$ measurements of $ϕ$ mesons from Run IV Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV at STAR are presented. Energy and colliding system dependence of the $ϕ$ yields at mid-rapidity are discussed. The results are compared to the measurements of other hadrons. Properties of strange quarks in the bulk matter at hadron formation are discussed.
4 pages, 5 figures. Proceeding for the Quark Matter 2005 conference (Budapest, August 2005)
4 pages, 5 figures. Proceeding for the Quark Matter 2005 conference (Budapest, August 2005)