$\rm{K}^{*}(\rm{892})^{0}$ and $\phi(1020)$ production at midrapidity in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 8 TeV

TL;DR

This paper reports measurements of $ m{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$ and $ m{ extphi}(1020)$ production in proton-proton collisions at 8 TeV, analyzing their transverse momentum distributions, yields, and ratios, and comparing results across energies and with models.

Contribution

The study provides new measurements of $ m{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$ and $ m{ extphi}(1020)$ production at 8 TeV and compares these with previous data and theoretical models.

Findings

Particle ratios are consistent across different LHC energies.

Spectra harden with increasing collision energy.

Model predictions vary in describing the data.

Abstract

The production of $\mathrm{K}^{*}(\mathrm{892})^{0}$ and $\mathrm{\phi(1020)}$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 8 TeV was measured using Run 1 data collected by the ALICE collaboration at the LHC. The $p_{\rm{T}}$-differential yields d$^{\rm 2}N$/d$y$d$p_{\rm{T}}$ in the range $0 < p_{\rm{T}} < 20$ GeV/$c$ for $\rm{K}^{*0}$ and $0.4 < p_{\rm{T}} < 16$ GeV/$c$ for $\phi$ have been measured at midrapidity, $|y| < 0.5$. Moreover, improved measurements of the $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$ and $\phi(1020)$ at $\sqrt{s} = 7$TeV are presented. The collision energy dependence of $p_{\rm{T}}$ distributions, $p_{\rm{T}}$-integrated yields and particle ratios in inelastic pp collisions are examined. The results are also compared with different collision systems. The values of the particle ratios are found to be similar to those measured at other LHC energies. In pp collisions a hardening of the particle spectra is observed with increasing energy, but at the same time it is also observed that the relative particle abundances are independent of the collision energy. The $p_{\rm{T}}$-differential yields of $\rm{K}^{*0}$ and $\phi$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 8$ TeV are compared with the expectations of different Monte Carlo event generators.