$K^{\star }(892{)}^0$ Production in Relativistic Heavy Ion Collisions at $\sqrt{s_{{}_{NN}}}=130$ GeV

Abstract

We report the first observation of $K^{\star }(892{)}^0\to \pi K$ in relativistic heavy ion collisions. The transverse momentum spectrum of $(K^{\star 0}+{\bar{K}}^{\star 0})/2$ from central Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{{}_{NN}}}=130$ GeV is presented. The ratios of the $K^{\star 0}$ yield derived from these data to the yields of negative hadrons, charged kaons, and $\varphi$ mesons have been measured in central and minimum bias collisions and compared with model predictions and comparable $e^{+}{e}^{-}$, $pp$, and $\bar{p}p$ results. The data indicate no dramatic reduction of $K^{\star 0}$ production in relativistic heavy ion collisions despite expected losses due to rescattering effects.

6 pages, 3 figures, To be published in PRC R