# Charge-dependent pair correlations relative to a third particle in $p$+Au and $d$+Au collisions at RHIC

## TL;DR

This paper reports measurements of charge-dependent pair correlations in small collision systems ($p$+Au and $d$+Au) at RHIC, revealing signals similar to those attributed to the chiral magnetic effect in heavy-ion collisions, challenging previous interpretations.

## Contribution

It provides the first evidence of charge-dependent correlations in small systems, questioning the assumption that such signals are exclusive to quark-gluon plasma formation.

## Key findings

- Charge-dependent correlations observed in $p$+Au and $d$+Au collisions.
- Similar correlation patterns to those in heavy-ion collisions.
- Implications for interpreting the chiral magnetic effect signals.

## Abstract

Quark interactions with topological gluon configurations can induce chirality imbalance and local parity violation in quantum chromodynamics. This can lead to electric charge separation along the strong magnetic field in relativistic heavy-ion collisions -- the chiral magnetic effect (CME). We report measurements by the STAR collaboration of a CME-sensitive observable in $p$+Au and $d$+Au collisions at 200 GeV, where the CME is not expected, using charge-dependent pair correlations relative to a third particle. We observe strong charge-dependent correlations similar to those measured in heavy-ion collisions. This bears important implications for the interpretation of the heavy-ion data.