# Hadron-Deuteron Correlations and Production of Light Nuclei in Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

## TL;DR

This paper discusses methods to distinguish between thermal and coalescence models of light nuclei production in relativistic heavy-ion collisions by analyzing hadron-deuteron correlation functions.

## Contribution

It proposes a new experimental approach using correlation functions to determine the origin of deuterons, testing the validity of existing production models.

## Key findings

- Computed $K^- ext{-}D$ and $p ext{-}D$ correlation functions.
- Correlation functions can differentiate between direct emission and formation.
- Method offers a way to falsify one of the models.

## Abstract

The production of light nuclei in relativistic heavy-ion collisions is well described by both the thermal model, where light nuclei are in equilibrium with all other hadron species present in a fireball, and by the coalescence model, where light nuclei are formed due to final state interactions after the fireball decays. A method is proposed to falsify one of the models. We suggest to measure a hadron-deuteron correlation function which carries information about the source of the deuterons and allows one to determine whether a deuteron is directly emitted from the fireball or if it is formed afterwards. The $K^-\!-\!D$ and $p\!-\!D$ correlation functions are computed to illustrate the statement.