$\ensuremath{\phi}$ meson production in $d\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}+\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Au}$ collisions at $\sqrt{{s}_{NN}}=200\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GeV}$

$ϕ$ meson production in $d + Au$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{N N}} = 200 GeV$

A. Adare et al. (PHENIX Collaboration)

Phys. Rev. C 92, 044909 – Published 19 October 2015

Abstract

The PHENIX Collaboration has measured $ϕ$ meson production in $d + Au$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{N N}}} = 200$ GeV using the dimuon and dielectron decay channels. The $ϕ$ meson is measured in the forward (backward) $d$ -going (Au-going) direction, $1.2 < y < 2.2$ ( $- 2.2 < y < - 1.2$ ) in the transverse-momentum ( $p_{T}$ ) range from 1–7 $GeV / c$ and at midrapidity $| y | < 0.35$ in the $p_{T}$ range below 7 GeV/ $c$ . The $ϕ$ meson invariant yields and nuclear-modification factors as a function of $p_{T}$ , rapidity, and centrality are reported. An enhancement of $ϕ$ meson production is observed in the Au-going direction, while suppression is seen in the $d$ -going direction, and no modification is observed at midrapidity relative to the yield in $p + p$ collisions scaled by the number of binary collisions. Similar behavior was previously observed for inclusive charged hadrons and open heavy flavor, indicating similar cold-nuclear-matter effects.