Why the $a_1$ meson might be a difficult messenger for the restoration of chiral symmetry

Abstract

We perform a theoretical analysis of the $a_1$ resonance mass spectrum in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions within a hadron/string transport approach. Predictions for the $a_1$ yield and its mass distribution are given for the GSI-FAIR and the critRHIC energy regime. The potential of the $a_1$ meson as a signal for chiral symmetry restoration is explored. In view of the latest discussion, we investigate the decay channel $a_1\to \gamma \pi$ in detail and find a strong bias towards low $a_1$ masses. This apparent mass shift of the $a_1$ if observed in the $\gamma \pi$ channel might render a possible mass shift due to chiral symmetry restoration very difficult to disentangle from the decay kinematics.

arXiv comment4 pages, 5 figures

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• Hot and dense hadronic matter in an effective mean field approach
• Resonances as a possible observable of hot and dense nuclear matter
• Hadronic resonance production and interaction in p-Pb collisions at LHC energies in EPOS3
• High $p_T$ resonances as a possibility to explore hot and dense nuclear matter
• Determination of the $\varphi$-meson production process and its absorption cross section via directed flow