Proton -- Lambda Correlations in Central Pb+Pb Collisions at sqrt(s_{NN}) = 17.3 GeV

TL;DR

This study measures proton-lambda correlations in central Pb+Pb collisions at 17.3 GeV, revealing an enhancement at small relative momenta and estimating the source size using a theoretical model.

Contribution

It provides the first measurement of proton-lambda correlations at this energy and derives the effective source size using a Gaussian model.

Findings

Observed enhancement at small relative momenta (q_{inv} < 0.2 GeV)

Estimated effective source radius R_G = 3.02 ± 0.20(stat.)^{+0.44}_{-0.16}(syst.) fm

Demonstrated the applicability of correlation measurements to source size estimation

Abstract

The momentum correlation between protons and lambda particles emitted from central Pb+Pb collisions at sqrt(s_{NN}) = 17.3 GeV was studied by the NA49 experiment at the CERN SPS. A clear enhancement is observed for small relative momenta (q_{inv} < 0.2 GeV). By fitting a theoretical model, which uses the strong interaction between the proton and the lambda in a given pair, to the measured data a value for the effective source size is deduced. Assuming a static Gaussian source distribution we derive an effective radius parameter of R_G = 3.02 \pm 0.20$(stat.)^{+0.44}_{-0.16}(syst.) fm.