J/$\psi$ suppression at forward rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{{\rm NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV

TL;DR

This study measures J/ψ suppression in Pb-Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV, revealing a slight increase in nuclear modification factor compared to lower energies, with results aligning well with theoretical models.

Contribution

First measurement of J/ψ suppression at 5.02 TeV in Pb-Pb collisions, providing new data on nuclear modification factors and their energy dependence.

Findings

J/ψ suppression observed in nuclear collisions.

R_AA ratio at 5.02 TeV is 1.17 for central events.

Theoretical models agree with experimental results.

Abstract

The inclusive J/$\psi$ production has been studied in Pn-Pb and pp collisions at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV, using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. The J/$\psi$ meson is reconstructed, in the centre-of-mass rapidity interval $2.5<y<4$ and in the transverse-momentum range $p_{\rm T}<12$ GeV/$c$, via its decay to a muon pair. In this Letter, we present results on the inclusive J/$\psi$ cross section in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=5.02$ TeV and on the nuclear modification factor $R_{\rm AA}$. The latter is presented as a function of the centrality of the collision and, for central collisions, as a function of the transverse momentum $p_{\rm T}$ of the J/$\psi$. The measured $R_{\rm AA}$ values indicate a suppression of the J/$\psi$ in nuclear collisions and are then compared to our previous results obtained in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=2.76$ TeV. The ratio of the $R_{\rm AA}$ values at the two energies is also computed and compared to calculations of statistical and dynamical models. The numerical value of the ratio for central events (0-10\% centrality) is $1.17 \pm 0.04 {\rm{(stat)}}\pm 0.20 {\rm{(syst)}}$. In central events, as a function of $p_{\rm T}$, a slight increase of $R_{\rm AA}$ with collision energy is visible in the region $2<p_{\rm T}<6$ GeV/$c$. Theoretical calculations provide a good description of the measurements, within uncertainties.