Multiplicity Dependence of Pion, Kaon, Proton and Lambda Production in p-Pb Collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV

TL;DR

This paper reports on the production of various particles in p-Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV, showing that higher event multiplicity leads to harder transverse momentum spectra, with comparisons to models and lower energy results.

Contribution

It provides comprehensive measurements of identified particle production in p-Pb collisions and analyzes the multiplicity dependence of their transverse momentum distributions.

Findings

Transverse momentum spectra harden with increasing multiplicity.

Heavier particles show a stronger hardening effect.

Results are consistent with trends observed in pp and Pb-Pb collisions.

Abstract

In this Letter, comprehensive results on ${\rm\pi}^\pm$, K$^\pm$, K$^0_S$, p, $\rm\bar{p}$, $\rm \Lambda$ and $\rm \bar{\Lambda}$ production at mid-rapidity ($0 < y_{\rm cms} < 0.5$) in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 5.02$ TeV, measured by the ALICE detector at the LHC, are reported. The transverse momentum distributions exhibit a hardening as a function of event multiplicity, which is stronger for heavier particles. This behavior is similar to what has been observed in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC. The measured $p_{\rm T}$ distributions are compared to results at lower energy and with predictions based on QCD-inspired and hydrodynamic models.