Measurement of $\psi$(2S) production as a function of charged-particle pseudorapidity density in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV and p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 8.16 TeV with ALICE at the LHC

TL;DR

This study measures how the production of $ ext{J/}\psi$ and $ ext{ψ}(2S)$ charmonia varies with charged-particle pseudorapidity density in proton-proton and proton-lead collisions at the LHC, providing insights into quarkonium production mechanisms.

Contribution

It presents the first detailed measurement of $ ext{ψ}(2S)$ production as a function of multiplicity in pp and p-Pb collisions at LHC energies, including the ratio to J/$ extpsi$ production.

Findings

$ ext{ψ}(2S)$ yield increases with charged-particle pseudorapidity density.

The $ ext{ψ}(2S)$ to J/$ extpsi$ ratio shows no significant multiplicity dependence.

Results agree with existing theoretical models.

Abstract

Production of inclusive charmonia in pp collisions at center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV and p-Pb collisions at center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 8.16 TeV is studied as a function of charged-particle pseudorapidity density with ALICE. Ground and excited charmonium states (J/$\psi$, $\psi$(2S)) are measured from their dimuon decays in the interval of rapidity in the center-of-mass frame $2.5 < y_{\rm cms} < 4.0$ for pp collisions, and $2.03 < y_{\rm cms} < 3.53$ and $-4.46 < y_{\rm cms} < -2.96$ for p-Pb collisions. The charged-particle pseudorapidity density is measured around midrapidity ($|\eta|<1.0$). In pp collisions, the measured charged-particle multiplicity extends to about six times the average value, while in p-Pb collisions at forward (backward) rapidity a multiplicity corresponding to about three (four) times the average is reached. The $\psi$(2S) yield increases with the charged-particle pseudorapidity density. The ratio of $\psi$(2S) over J/$\psi$ yield does not show a significant multiplicity dependence in either colliding system, suggesting a similar behavior of J/$\psi$ and $\psi$(2S) yields with respect to charged-particle pseudorapidity density. Results for the $\psi$(2S) yield and its ratio with respect to J/$\psi$ agree with available model calculations.