$J/\psi$ suppression and $p_T$ spectra in RHIC and LHC energy collisions

TL;DR

This paper uses a hydrodynamic model to study $J/psi$ suppression and $p_T$ spectra in heavy-ion collisions at RHIC and LHC energies, explaining experimental data and predicting future suppression levels.

Contribution

It introduces a hydrodynamic model incorporating sequential melting of charmonium states to explain $J/psi$ suppression and spectra in heavy-ion collisions.

Findings

Model explains PHENIX data on $J/psi$ suppression in Au+Au collisions.

Overpredicts centrality dependence of suppression in Cu+Cu collisions.

Predicts significant $J/psi$ suppression at LHC energy in Pb+Pb collisions.

Abstract

In a hydrodynamic model, we have studied $J/\psi$ production in Au+Au/Cu+Cu collisions at RHIC energy $\sqrt{s}$=200 GeV. At the initial time, $J/\psi$'s are randomly distributed in the fluid. As the fluid evolve in time, the free streaming $J/\psi$'s are dissolved if the local fluid temperature exceeds a threshold temperature $T_{J/\psi}$. Sequential melting of charmonium states ($\chi_c$, $\psi\prime$ and $J/\psi$), with melting temperatures $T_{\chi_c}=T_{\psi\prime} \approx 1.2T_c$, $T_{J/\psi} \approx2T_c$ and feed-down fraction $F\approx 0.3$, explains the PHENIX data on the centrality dependence of $J/\psi$ suppression in Au+Au collisions. $J/\psi$ $p_T$ spectra and the nuclear modification factor in Au+Au collisions are also well explained in the model. The model however over predict centrality dependence of $J/\psi$ suppression in Cu+Cu collisions by 20-30%. The $J/\psi$ $p_T$ spectra are under predicted by 20-30%. The model predict that in central Pb+Pb collisions at LHC energy, $\sqrt{s}$=5500 GeV, $J/\psi$'s are suppressed by a factor of $\sim$ 10. The model predicted $J/\psi$ $p_T$ distribution in Pb+Pb collisions at LHC is similar to that in Au+Au collisions at RHIC.