Energy Dependence of Pion and Kaon Production in Central Pb+Pb Collisions

Preprint
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Results on the energy dependence of charged pion and kaon production in central Pb+Pb collisions at 40, 80 and 158 A GeV are presented and compared with data at lower and higher energies. The mean pion multiplicity increases approximately linearly with s^{1/4} with a change of slope around 40 A GeV. The change from pion suppression with respect to p+p interactions, as observed at low collision energies, to pion enhancement at high energies also occurs at about 40 A GeV. A non-monotonic energy dependence of the ratio of K+ to pi+ yields is observed, with a maximum close to 40 A GeV, followed by a nearly constant value at higher energies. The measured dependences are consistent with the hypothesis, derived within a Statistical Model of the Early Stage of nucleus-nucleus reactions, that a transient state of deconfined matter is created in Pb+Pb collisions for energies larger than about 40 A GeV.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: