Elliptic flow from two- and four-particle correlations in Au + Au collisions at {radical}s{sub NN} = 130 GeV
Elliptic flow holds much promise for studying the early-time thermalization attained in ultrarelativistic nuclear collisions. Flow measurements also provide a means of distinguishing between hydrodynamic models and calculations which approach the low density (dilute gas) limit. Among the effects that can complicate the interpretation of elliptic flow measurements are azimuthal correlations that are unrelated to the reaction plane (non-flow correlations). Using data for Au + Au collisions at {radical}s{sub NN} = 130 GeV from the STAR TPC, it is found that four-particle correlation analyses can reliably separate flow and non-flow correlation signals. The latter account for on average about 15 percent of the observed second-harmonic azimuthal correlation, with the largest relative contribution for the most peripheral and the most central collisions. The results are also corrected for the effect of flow variations within centrality bins. This effect is negligible for all but the most central bin , where the correction to the elliptic flow is about a factor of two. A simple new method for two-particle flow analysis based on scalar products is described. An analysis based on the distribution of the magnitude of the flow vector is also described.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 821323
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-50591; R&D Project: NRNC; TRN: US0400689
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review C, Vol. 6603, Issue 3; Other Information: Journal Publication Date: 09/2002; PBD: 31 May 2002
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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