Publications (15)13.28 Total impact
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Article: First proton–proton collisions at the LHC as observed with the ALICE detector: measurement of the charged-particle pseudorapidity density at GeV
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ABSTRACT: On 23rd November 2009, during the early commissioning of the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC), two counter-rotating proton bunches were circulated for the first time concurrently in the machine, at the LHC injection energy of 450GeV per beam. Although the proton intensity was very low, with only one pilot bunch per beam, and no systematic attempt was made to optimize the collision optics, all LHC experiments reported a number of collision candidates. In the ALICE experiment, the collision region was centred very well in both the longitudinal and transverse directions and 284 events were recorded in coincidence with the two passing proton bunches. The events were immediately reconstructed and analyzed both online and offline. We have used these events to measure the pseudorapidity density of charged primary particles in the central region. In the range |η|<0.5, we obtain dN ch/dη=3.10±0.13(stat.)±0.22(syst.) for all inelastic interactions, and dN ch/dη=3.51±0.15(stat.)±0.25(syst.) for non-single diffractive interactions. These results are consistent with previous measurements in proton–antiproton interactions at the same centre-of-mass energy at the CERN Sp [`(p)]\overline{\mathrm{p}} S collider. They also illustrate the excellent functioning and rapid progress of the LHC accelerator, and of both the hardware and software of the ALICE experiment, in this early start-up phase.European Physical Journal C 04/2012; 65(1):111-125. · 3.63 Impact Factor -
Article: Production of pions, kaons and protons in pp collisions at with ALICE at the LHC
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ABSTRACT: The production of π +, π −, K+, K−, p, and [`(p)]\overline{\mathrm{p}} at mid-rapidity has been measured in proton-proton collisions at Ös = 900GeV\sqrt{s} = 900~\mathrm{GeV} with the ALICE detector. Particle identification is performed using the specific energy loss in the inner tracking silicon detector and the time projection chamber. In addition, time-of-flight information is used to identify hadrons at higher momenta. Finally, the distinctive kink topology of the weak decay of charged kaons is used for an alternative measurement of the kaon transverse momentum (p t) spectra. Since these various particle identification tools give the best separation capabilities over different momentum ranges, the results are combined to extract spectra from p t=100MeV/c to 2.5 GeV/c. The measured spectra are further compared with QCD-inspired models which yield a poor description. The total yields and the mean p t are compared with previous measurements, and the trends as a function of collision energy are discussed.European Physical Journal C 04/2012; 71(6):1-22. · 3.63 Impact Factor -
Article: Charged-particle multiplicity measurement in proton–proton collisions at and 2.36 TeV with ALICE at LHC
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ABSTRACT: Charged-particle production was studied in proton–proton collisions collected at the LHC with the ALICE detector at centre-of-mass energies 0.9TeV and 2.36TeV in the pseudorapidity range |η|<1.4. In the central region (|η|<0.5), at 0.9TeV, we measure charged-particle pseudorapidity density dNch/dh = 3.02±0.01(stat.)+0.08-0.05(syst.)\mathrm{d}N_{\mathrm{ch}}/\mathrm{d}\eta=3.02\pm 0.01(\mathit{stat.})^{+0.08}_{-0.05}(\mathit{syst.}) for inelastic interactions, and dNch/dh = 3.58±0.01(stat.)+0.12-0.12(syst.)\mathrm{d}N_{\mathrm{ch}}/\mathrm{d}\eta=3.58\pm0.01(\mathit{stat.})^{+0.12}_{-0.12}(\mathit{syst.}) for non-single-diffractive interactions. At 2.36TeV, we find dNch/dh = 3.77±0.01(stat.)+0.25-0.12(syst.)\mathrm{d}N_{\mathrm{ch}}/\mathrm{d}\eta=3.77\pm0.01(\mathit{stat.})^{+0.25}_{-0.12}(\mathit{syst.}) for inelastic, and dNch/dh = 4.43±0.01(stat.)+0.17-0.12(syst.)\mathrm{d}N_{\mathrm{ch}}/\mathrm{d}\eta=4.43\pm0.01(\mathit{stat.})^{+0.17}_{-0.12}(\mathit{syst.}) for non-single-diffractive collisions. The relative increase in charged-particle multiplicity from the lower to higher energy is 24.7%±0.5%(stat.)+5.7-2.8%(syst.)24.7\%\pm0.5\%(\mathit{stat.})^{+5.7}_{-2.8}\%(\mathit{syst.}) for inelastic and 23.7%±0.5%(stat.)+4.6-1.1%(syst.)23.7\%\pm0.5\%(\mathit{stat.})^{+4.6}_{-1.1}\%(\mathit{syst.}) for non-single-diffractive interactions. This increase is consistent with that reported by the CMS collaboration for non-single-diffractive events and larger than that found by a number of commonly used models. The multiplicity distribution was measured in different pseudorapidity intervals and studied in terms of KNO variables at both energies. The results are compared to proton–antiproton data and to model predictions.European Physical Journal C 04/2012; 68(1):89-108. · 3.63 Impact Factor -
Article: Measurement of the Cross Section for Electromagnetic Dissociation with Neutron Emission in Pb-Pb Collisions at {\surd}sNN = 2.76 TeV
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ABSTRACT: The first measurement of neutron emission in electromagnetic dissociation of $^{208}$Pb nuclei at the LHC is presented. The measurement is performed using the neutron Zero Degree Calorimeters of the ALICE experiment, which detect neutral particles close to beam rapidity. The measured cross sections of single and mutual electromagnetic dissociation of Pb nuclei at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV with neutron emission are $\sigma_{\rm single\ EMD} = 187.4\pm0.2$ (stat.) $^{+13.2}_{-11.2}$ (syst.) b and $\sigma_{\rm mutual\ EMD} = 5.7\pm0.1$ (stat.) $\pm$0.4 (syst.) b respectively. The experimental results are compared to the predictions from a relativistic electromagnetic dissociation model.03/2012; -
Article: Heavy flavour decay muon production at forward rapidity in proton--proton collisions at \sqrt(s) = 7 TeV
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ABSTRACT: The production of muons from heavy flavour decays is measured at forward rapidity in proton--proton collisions at \sqrt(s) = 7 TeV collected with the ALICE experiment at the LHC. The analysis is carried out on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity L_{int} = 16.5 nb^{-1}. The transverse momentum and rapidity differential production cross sections of muons from heavy flavour decays are measured in the rapidity range 2.5 < y < 4, over the transverse momentum range 2 < p_{t} < 12 GeV/c. The results are compared to predictions based on perturbative QCD calculations.01/2012; -
Article: Measurement of Event Background Fluctuations for Charged Particle Jet Reconstruction in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 2.76$ TeV
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ABSTRACT: The effect of event background fluctuations on charged particle jet reconstruction in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 2.76 TeV has been measured with the ALICE experiment. The main sources of non-statistical fluctuations are characterized based purely on experimental data with an unbiased method, as well as by using single high p_t particles and simulated jets embedded into real Pb-Pb events and reconstructed with the anti-kt jet finder. The influence of a low transverse momentum cut-off on particles used in the jet reconstruction is quantified by varying the minimum track p_t between 0.15 GeV/c and 2 GeV/c. For embedded jets reconstructed from charged particles with p_t > 0.15 GeV/c, the uncertainty in the reconstructed jet transverse momentum due to the heavy-ion background is measured to be 11.3 GeV/c (standard deviation) for the 10% most central Pb-Pb collisions, slightly larger than the value of 11.0 GeV/c measured using the unbiased method. For a higher particle transverse momentum threshold of 2 GeV/c, which will generate a stronger bias towards hard fragmentation in the jet finding process, the standard deviation of the fluctuations in the reconstructed jet transverse momentum is reduced to 4.8-5.0 GeV/c for the 10% most central events. A non-Gaussian tail of the momentum uncertainty is observed and its impact on the reconstructed jet spectrum is evaluated for varying particle momentum thresholds, by folding the measured fluctuations with steeply falling spectra.01/2012; -
Article: Underlying Event measurements in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 0.9 and 7 TeV with the ALICE experiment at the LHC
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ABSTRACT: We present measurements of Underlying Event observables in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 0.9 and 7 TeV. The analysis is performed as a function of the highest charged-particle transverse momentum pT,LT in the event. Different regions are defined with respect to the azimuthal direction of the leading (highest transverse momentum) track: Toward, Transverse and Away. The Toward and Away regions collect the fragmentation products of the hardest partonic interaction. The Transverse region is expected to be most sensitive to the Underlying Event activity. The study is performed with charged particles above three different pT thresholds: 0.15, 0.5 and 1.0 GeV/c. In the Transverse region we observe an increase in the multiplicity of a factor 2-3 between the lower and higher collision energies, depending on the track pT threshold considered. Data are compared to Pythia 6.4, Pythia 8.1 and Phojet. On average, all models considered underestimate the multiplicity and summed pT in the Transverse region by about 10-30%.12/2011; -
Article: Measurement of charm production at central rapidity in proton-proton collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV
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ABSTRACT: The pt-differential inclusive production cross sections of the prompt charmed mesons D0, D+, and D*+ in the rapidity range |y|<0.5 were measured in proton-proton collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV at the LHC using the ALICE detector. Reconstructing the decays D0->K-pi+, D+->K-pi+pi+, D*+->D0pi+, and their charge conjugates, about 8,400 D0, 2,900 D+, and 2,600 D*+ mesons with 1<pt<24 GeV/c were counted, after selection cuts, in a data sample of 3.14x10^8 events collected with a minimum-bias trigger (integrated luminosity L_int = 5/nb). The results are described within uncertainties by predictions based on perturbative QCD.11/2011; -
Article: J/psi polarization in pp collisions at sqrt(s)=7 TeV
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ABSTRACT: The ALICE Collaboration has studied J/psi production in pp collisions at sqrt(s)=7 TeV at the LHC through its muon pair decay. The polar and azimuthal angle distributions of the decay muons were measured, and results on the J/psi polarization parameters lambda_theta and lambda_phi were obtained. The study was performed in the kinematic region 2.5<y<4, 2<p_t<8 GeV/c, in the helicity and Collins-Soper reference frames. In both frames, the polarization parameters are compatible with zero, within uncertainties.11/2011; -
Article: Particle-yield modification in jet-like azimuthal di-hadron correlations in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 2.76 TeV
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ABSTRACT: The yield of charged particles associated with high-pT trigger particles (8 < pT < 15 GeV/c) is measured with the ALICE detector in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 2.76 TeV relative to proton-proton collisions at the same energy. The conditional per-trigger yields are extracted from the narrow jet-like correlation peaks in azimuthal di-hadron correlations. In the 5% most central collisions, we observe that the yield of associated charged particles with transverse momenta pT > 3 GeV/c on the away-side drops to about 60% of that observed in pp collisions, while on the near-side a moderate enhancement of 20-30% is found.10/2011; -
Article: Measurement of the electromagnetic dissociation cross section of Pb nuclei at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV
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ABSTRACT: Electromagnetic dissociation of heavy nuclei in ultra-peripheral interactions at high energies can be used to monitor the beam luminosity at colliders. In ALICE neutrons emitted by the excited nuclei close to beam rapidity are detected by the Zero Degree Calorimeters (ZDCs), providing a precise measurement of the event rate. During the 2010 Pb run, a dedicated data taking was performed triggering on electromagnetic processes with the ZDCs. These data, combined with the results from a Van der Meer scan, allowed to measure the electromagnetic dissociation cross-section of Pb nuclei at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$~=~2.76~TeV. Experimental results on various cross-sections are presented together with a comparison to the available predictions.07/2011; -
Article: First proton--proton collisions at the LHC as observed with the ALICE detector: measurement of the charged particle pseudorapidity density at sqrt(s) = 900 GeV
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ABSTRACT: On 23rd November 2009, during the early commissioning of the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC), two counter-rotating proton bunches were circulated for the first time concurrently in the machine, at the LHC injection energy of 450 GeV per beam. Although the proton intensity was very low, with only one pilot bunch per beam, and no systematic attempt was made to optimize the collision optics, all LHC experiments reported a number of collision candidates. In the ALICE experiment, the collision region was centred very well in both the longitudinal and transverse directions and 284 events were recorded in coincidence with the two passing proton bunches. The events were immediately reconstructed and analyzed both online and offline. We have used these events to measure the pseudorapidity density of charged primary particles in the central region. In the range |eta| < 0.5, we obtain dNch/deta = 3.10 +- 0.13 (stat.) +- 0.22 (syst.) for all inelastic interactions, and dNch/deta = 3.51 +- 0.15 (stat.) +- 0.25 (syst.) for non-single diffractive interactions. These results are consistent with previous measurements in proton--antiproton interactions at the same centre-of-mass energy at the CERN SppS collider. They also illustrate the excellent functioning and rapid progress of the LHC accelerator, and of both the hardware and software of the ALICE experiment, in this early start-up phase. Comment: First ALICE physics publication v2: Small corrections to the text, author list and references11/2009; -
Article: The ALICE experiment at the CERN LHC
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ABSTRACT: ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) is a general-purpose, heavy-ion detector at the CERN LHC which focuses on QCD, the strong-interaction sector of the Standard Model. It is designed to address the physics of strongly interacting matter and the quark-gluon plasma at extreme values of energy density and temperature in nucleus-nucleus collisions. Besides running with Pb ions, the physics programme includes collisions with lighter ions, lower energy running and dedicated proton-nucleus runs. ALICE will also take data with proton beams at the top LHC energy to collect reference data for the heavy-ion programme and to address several QCD topics for which ALICE is complementary to the other LHC detectors. The ALICE detector has been built by a collaboration including currently over 1000 physicists and engineers from 105 Institutes in 30 countries. Its overall dimensions are 16 × 16 × 26 m3 with a total weight of approximately 10 000 t. The experiment consists of 18 different detector systems each with its own specific technology choice and design constraints, driven both by the physics requirements and the experimental conditions expected at LHC. The most stringent design constraint is to cope with the extreme particle multiplicity anticipated in central Pb-Pb collisions. The different subsystems were optimized to provide high-momentum resolution as well as excellent Particle Identification (PID) over a broad range in momentum, up to the highest multiplicities predicted for LHC. This will allow for comprehensive studies of hadrons, electrons, muons, and photons produced in the collision of heavy nuclei. Most detector systems are scheduled to be installed and ready for data taking by mid-2008 when the LHC is scheduled to start operation, with the exception of parts of the Photon Spectrometer (PHOS), Transition Radiation Detector (TRD) and Electro Magnetic Calorimeter (EMCal). These detectors will be completed for the high-luminosity ion run expected in 2010. This paper describes in detail the detector components as installed for the first data taking in the summer of 2008.Journal of Instrumentation 08/2008; 3(08):S08002. · 1.87 Impact Factor -
Article: The ALICE experiment at the LHC
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ABSTRACT: After a general introduction on the Quark Gluon Plasma and a short overview of the experimental results obtained so far with heavy-ion collisions at the SPS and at the RHIC, the physics goals of the ALICE experiment at the LHC are presented.Physics of Particles and Nuclei 01/2008; 39(7):1074-1081. · 0.52 Impact Factor -
Article: (Di)lepton physics with ALICE
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ABSTRACT: Physics perspectives with(di)lepton measurements with the ALICE detector at the LHC are reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on heavy flavor physics.11/2005;
