sPHENIX measurements of heavy flavor production in $p$+$p$ collisions

Abstract

sPHENIX is the first new collider detector experiment dedicated to heavy-ion physics since the LHC began collecting data. Successfully commissioned in 2023-2024, one of its standout features is a streaming-capable tracking system that enables the collection of large, unbiased $p$+$p$ datasets-previously unattainable at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Leveraging this capability, sPHENIX recorded over 100 billion unbiased $p$+$p$ collisions at 200 GeV during Run 24. This unprecedented dataset unlocks a high-precision open heavy flavor physics program with extended low-$p_T$ reach, spanning both charm and beauty sectors. These proceedings present the progress in the analysis of open heavy flavor in the $p$+$p$ dataset. From one hour of data and early-stage calibrations, we see observations of $D^0$ mesons and evidence of $\hat{I}{›}_c^{+}$ in $p$+$p$ collisions for the first time at RHIC. These resonances will allow for novel physics measurements to be performed for the first time at RHIC.

5 pages, 3 figures, proceedings for The European Physical Society Conference on High Energy Physics (EPS-HEP2025), 7-11 July 2025, Marseille, France