Abstract
We have measured rapidity densities dN/dy of π± and K± over a broad rapidity range (- 0.1 < y < 3.5) for central Au + Au collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV. These data have significant implications for the chemistry and dynamics of the dense system that is initially created in the collisions. The full phase-space yields are 1660 ± 15 ± 133 (π+), 1683 ± 16 ± 135 (π-), 286 ± 5 ± 23 (K+), and 242 ± 4 ± 19 (K-). The systematics of the strange to nonstrange meson ratios are found to track the variation of the baryochemical potential with rapidity and energy. Landau-Carruthers hydrodynamics is found to describe the bulk transport of the pions in the longitudinal direction.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 162301 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 94 |
Issue number | 16 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 29 2005 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Physics and Astronomy