Inclusive J/$\psi$ production in Xe-Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.44 TeV

TL;DR

This study measures the production of J/ψ mesons in Xe-Xe collisions at 5.44 TeV, analyzing nuclear modification factors and comparing results with Pb-Pb collisions and transport model predictions.

Contribution

First measurement of inclusive J/ψ production and nuclear modification factors in Xe-Xe collisions at 5.44 TeV, providing new data for small-system heavy-ion interactions.

Findings

Nuclear modification factors R_AA are consistent between Xe-Xe and Pb-Pb collisions.

Good agreement between experimental data and transport model calculations.

Results suggest similar suppression patterns in Xe-Xe and Pb-Pb systems.

Abstract

Inclusive J/$\psi$ production is studied in Xe-Xe interactions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}= 5.44$ TeV, using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. The J/$\psi$ meson is reconstructed via its decay into a muon pair, in the centre-of-mass rapidity interval $2.5<y<4$ and down to zero transverse momentum. In this Letter, the nuclear modification factors $R_{\rm AA}$ for inclusive J/$\psi$, measured in the centrality range 0-90% as well as in the centrality intervals 0-20% and 20-90% are presented. The $R_{\rm AA}$ values are compared to previously published results for Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}= 5.02$ TeV and to the calculation of a transport model. A good agreement is found between Xe-Xe and Pb-Pb results as well as between data and the model.