Near-threshold production of the multi-strange $\hat{I}{ž}^{-}$ hyperon

Abstract

The yield for the multi-strange $\hat{I}{ž}^{-}$ hyperon has been measured in 6 AGeV Au+Au collisions via reconstruction of its decay products $\ddot{I}{€}^{-}$ and $\hat{I}›$, the latter also being reconstructed from its daughter tracks of $\ddot{I}{€}^{-}$ and p. The measurement is rather close to the threshold for $\hat{I}{ž}^{-}$ production and therefore provides an important test of model predictions. The measured yield for $\hat{I}{ž}^{-}$ and $\hat{I}›$ are compared for several centralities. In central collisions the $\hat{I}{ž}^{-}$ yield is found to be in excellent agreement with statistical and transport model predictions, suggesting that multi-strange hadron production approaches chemical equilibrium in high baryon density nuclear matter.

Submitted to PRL