Observation of charge-dependent azimuthal correlations and possible local strong parity violation in heavy ion collisions

Parity-odd domains, corresponding to non-trivial topological solutions of the QCD vacuum, might be created during relativistic heavy-ion collisions. These domains are predicted to lead to charge separation of quarks along the orbital momentum of the system created in non-central collisions. To study this effect, we investigate a three particle mixed harmonics azimuthal correlator which is a P-even observable, but directly sensitive to the charge separation effect. We report measurements of this observable using the STAR detector in Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at $sqrt{s_{NN}}$=200 and 62~GeV. The results are presented as a function of collision centrality, particle separation in rapidity, and particle transverse momentum. A signal consistent with several of the theoretical expectations is detected in all four data sets. We compare our results to the predictions of existing event generators, and discuss in detail possible contributions from other effects that are not related to parity violation.

Two-particle Azimuthal Correlations of High-pT Charged Hadrons at the CERN SPS

Two-particle azimuthal correlations of high-pT hadrons can serve as a probe of interactions of partons with the dense medium produced in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. First NA49 results on such correlations are presented for central and mid-central Pb+Pb collisions at 158A GeV beam energy, for different centrality bins and charge combinations of trigger and associate particles. These results feature a flattened away-side peak in the most central collisions, which is consistent with expectations of the medium-interaction scenario. A comparison with CERES Pb+Au results at the same energy, as well as with PHENIX Au+Au results at the top RHIC energy, is provided.

Studying Parton Energy Loss in Heavy-Ion Collisions via Direct-Photon and Charged-Particle Azimuthal Correlations

Charged-particle spectra associated with direct photon ($gamma_{dir} $) and $pi^0$ are measured in $p$+$p$ and Au+Au collisions at center-of-mass energy $sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV with the STAR detector at RHIC. A hower-shape analysis is used to partially discriminate between $gamma_{dir}$ and $pi^0$. Assuming no associated charged particles in the $gamma_{dir}$ direction (near side) and small contribution from fragmentation photons ($gamma_{frag}$), the associated charged-particle yields opposite to $gamma_{dir}$ (away side) are extracted. At mid-rapidity ($|eta|<0.9$) in central Au+Au collisions, charged-particle yields associated with $gamma_{dir}$ and $pi^0$ at high transverse momentum ($8< p_{T}^{trig}<16$ GeV/$c$) are suppressed by a factor of 3-5 compared with $p$ + $p$ collisions. The observed suppression of the associated charged particles, in the kinematic range $|eta|<1$ and $3< p_{T}^{assoc} < 16$ GeV/$c$, is similar for $gamma_{dir}$ and $pi^0$, and independent of the $gamma_{dir}$ energy within uncertainties. These measurements indicate that the parton energy loss, in the covered kinematic range, is insensitive to the parton path length.

Local strong parity violation and new possibilities in experimental study of non-perturbative QCD

Quark interaction with topologically non-trivial gluonic fields, instantons and sphalerons, violates P and CP symmetry. In the strong magnetic field of a non-central nuclear collision such interactions lead to the charge separation along the magnetic field, the so called chiral magnetic effect, which manifests local parity violations. An experimental observation of the chiral magnetic effect would be a direct proof for the existence of such physics. Recent STAR results on charge and the reaction plane dependent correlations are consistent with theoretical expectations for the chiral magnetic effect. IIn this paper I discuss different approaches to experimental study of the local parity violation, and propose future measurements which can clarify the picture. In particular I propose to use central body-body U+U collisions to disentangle correlations due to chiral magnetic effect from possible background correlations due to elliptic flow. Further more quantitative studies can be performed with collision of isobaric beams.

Harmonic decomposition of three-particle azimuthal correlations at RHIC

We present measurements of three-particle correlations for various harmonics in Au+Au collisions at energies ranging from $sqrt{s_{{rm NN}}}=7.7$ to 200 GeV using the STAR detector. The quantity $langlecos(mphi_1+nphi_2-(m+n)phi_3)rangle$ is evaluated as a function of $sqrt{s_{{rm NN}}}$, collision centrality, transverse momentum, $p_T$, pseudo-rapidity difference, $Deltaeta$, and harmonics ($m$ and $n$). These data provide detailed information on global event properties like the three-dimensional structure of the initial overlap region, the expansion dynamics of the matter produced in the collisions, and the transport properties of the medium. A strong dependence on $Deltaeta$ is observed for most harmonic combinations consistent with breaking of longitudinal boost invariance. Data reveal changes with energy in the two-particle correlation functions relative to the second-harmonic event-plane and provide ways to constrain models of heavy-ion collisions over a wide range of collision energies.