Baryon Number Transport, Strangeness Conservation and $\Omega$-hadron Correlations

TL;DR

This paper investigates baryon number transport and strangeness conservation in heavy-ion collisions by analyzing $K$-$ ext{Omega}$ correlations using AMPT model simulations, providing insights into hadronization mechanisms at RHIC energies.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of $K$-$ ext{Omega}$ correlations to study baryon transport, comparing different hadronization schemes in AMPT simulations at 14.6 GeV.

Findings

Correlations differ between default and string-melting AMPT models.

Results suggest hadronization scheme influences baryon number transport signals.

Implications for future measurements with STAR at RHIC.

Abstract

Although strange quarks are produced in $s\bar{s}$ pairs, the ratio of $\Omega^{-}$ to ${\bar{\Omega}}^{+}$ is greater than one in heavy-ion collisions at lower RHIC energies. Thus the produced $\Omega$ hyperons must carry net baryon quantum numbers from the colliding nuclei. We present results of $K$-$\Omega$ correlations from AMPT model simulations of Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 14.6 GeV, to probe dynamics for baryon number transport to mid-rapidities at this beam energy. We use both the default and string-melting versions to illustrate how hadronization schemes of quark coalescence and string fragmentations could leave imprints on such correlations. Implications on the measurements of these correlations with the STAR experiment at RHIC will also be discussed.