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Title: {Xi} ({Omega}) production in Pb + Pb collisions at 158 GeV/c

Conference ·
OSTI ID:539872

Using the NA49 main TPC, the central production of ({Xi} + {bar {Xi}}) hyperons has been measured in CERN SPS Pb on Pb collisions at 158 GeV/c. The preliminary ({Xi} + {bar {Xi}})/ ({Lambda} + {bar {Lambda}}) ratio, studied at 2.0 < y < 2.6 and 1 < p{sub T} < 3 GeV/c, equals {approximately} (13 {+-} 4)% (systematic error only). It is compatible, within errors, with the previously obtained ratios for central S+S, S+W, and S+Au collisions. The fit to the transferse momentum distribution resulted in an inverse slope parameter T of 297 MeV. At this level of statistics we do not see any noticeable enhancement of hyperon production with the increased volume (and, possibly, degree of equilibration) of the system from S+S to Pb+Pb. This result is unexpected and counterintuitive, and should be further investigated. If confirmed, it will have a significant impact on our understanding of mechanisms leading to the enhanced strangeness production in heavy ion collisions.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States); Germany, Government of (Germany); Athens Univ. (Greece); Polish State Committee for Scientific Research (Poland); Polish-German Foundation; Hungarian National Scientific Research Foundation (Hungary)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
539872
Report Number(s):
LBNL-40422; CONF-9704163-; ON: DE97008866; TRN: 98:000024
Resource Relation:
Conference: 1997 international symposium on strangeness in quark matter, Santorini (Greece), 14-18 Apr 1997; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English