Related Experiment Videos
Final-state interaction as the origin of the Cronin effect
1Institute of Theoretical Science and Department of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-5203, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|September 28, 2004
Summary
The Cronin effect, observed in particle collisions, is explained by final-state parton recombination, not initial-state momentum broadening. Centrality-dependent soft parton density drives this phenomenon in d+Au collisions.
Area of Science:
- High Energy Physics
- Nuclear Physics
- Quantum Chromodynamics
Background:
- The Cronin effect describes enhanced hadron spectra at intermediate transverse momentum (pT) with increasing nuclear size (A) in proton-nucleus (pA) collisions.
- Traditional explanations involve initial-state parton transverse momentum broadening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an alternative explanation for the Cronin effect using recent d+Au collision data.
- To explore the role of final-state interactions in particle production.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the nuclear modification factor (Nch) at mid-rapidity (eta=0) for d+Au collisions.
- Modeling particle production based on parton recombination in the final state.
Main Results:
- Recent d+Au collision data at eta=0 are consistent with a final-state recombination mechanism.
- The Cronin effect can be attributed to the centrality dependence of the soft parton density.
Conclusions:
- Final-state parton recombination provides a viable explanation for the Cronin effect.
- The centrality dependence of soft parton density is the key driver of the Cronin effect in d+Au collisions.