Hypertriton Production in p-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• High-Energy Particle Collisions
• Hadron Spectroscopy

Background:

• Nuclei and antinuclei production offers insights into the formation of loosely bound states in high-energy hadronic collisions.
• Understanding hypernuclei, such as the hypertriton (Λ3H), is crucial for comprehending nucleosynthesis in these energetic environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the first measurement of hypertriton (Λ3H) production in proton-lead (p-Pb) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV.
• To compare experimental yields with predictions from statistical hadronization and coalescence models.
• To constrain theoretical models describing the formation of loosely bound nuclear states.

Main Methods:

• Measurement of hypertriton (Λ3H) production in p-Pb collisions within a specific rapidity interval (-1 < y < 0).
• Analysis focused on the 40% highest-multiplicity p-Pb collisions.
• Comparison of measured production yields (dN/dy) with theoretical model predictions.

Main Results:

• The production yield of the hypertriton (Λ3H) in p-Pb collisions was measured as dN/dy = [6.3 ± 1.8(stat) ± 1.2(syst)] × 10^-7.
• The precise measurement allowed for the exclusion of certain configurations of the statistical hadronization model with a significance greater than 6.9σ.
• This result provides critical data for differentiating between statistical hadronization and coalescence models in small collision systems.

Conclusions:

• The first measurement of hypertriton (Λ3H) production in p-Pb collisions significantly constrains theoretical models of loosely bound state formation.
• The findings challenge specific parameters within the statistical hadronization model, favoring alternative explanations for hypernuclei production.
• This study advances the understanding of nucleosynthesis mechanisms in high-energy hadronic and nuclear collisions.