Partonic flow and $\varphi$-meson production in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV

Abstract

We present first measurements of the $\varphi$-meson elliptic flow ($v_2(p_T)$) and high statistics $p_T$ distributions for different centralities from $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. In minimum bias collisions the $v_2$ of the $\varphi$ meson is consistent with the trend observed for mesons. The ratio of the yields of the $\Omega$ to those of the $\varphi$ as a function of transverse momentum is consistent with a model based on the recombination of thermal $s$ quarks up to $p_T\sim 4$ GeV/$c$, but disagrees at higher momenta. The nuclear modification factor ($R_{CP}$) of $\varphi$ follows the trend observed in the $K_S^0$ mesons rather than in $\Lambda$ baryons, supporting baryon-meson scaling. Since $\varphi$-mesons are made via coalescence of seemingly thermalized $s$ quarks in central Au+Au collisions, the observations imply hot and dense matter with partonic collectivity has been formed at RHIC.

6 pages, 4 figures, submit to PRL

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