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Cold Nuclear Matter Effects on J/{psi} Production as Constrained by Deuteron-Gold Measurements at s_NN = 200 GeV

Journal Article · · Physical Review C
We present a new analysis of J/{psi} production yields in deuteron-gold collisions at {radical}s{sub NN}=200 GeV using data taken from the PHENIX experiment in 2003 and previously published in S. S. Adler et al. The high statistics proton-proton J/psi data taken in 2005 are used to improve the baseline measurement and thus construct updated cold nuclear matter modification factors (R{sub dAu}). A suppression of J/psi in cold nuclear matter is observed as one goes forward in rapidity (in the deuteron-going direction), corresponding to a region more sensitive to initial-state low-x gluons in the gold nucleus. The measured nuclear modification factors are compared to theoretical calculations of nuclear shadowing to which a J/psi (or precursor) breakup cross section is added. Breakup cross sections of {sigma}breakup=2.8{sub -1.4}{sup +1.7} (2.2{sub -1.5}{sup +1.6}) mb are obtained by fitting these calculations to the data using two different models of nuclear shadowing. These breakup cross-section values are consistent within large uncertainties with the 4.2{+-}0.5 mb determined at lower collision energies. Projecting this range of cold nuclear matter effects to copper-copper and gold-gold collisions reveals that the current constraints are not sufficient to firmly quantify the additional hot nuclear matter effect.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
Sponsoring Organization:
SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
931104
Journal Information:
Physical Review C, Journal Name: Physical Review C Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 77; ISSN 0556-2813; ISSN PRVCAN
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English