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At least 73 records · Page 4

Study of very forward energy and its correlation with particle production at midrapidity in pp and p-Pb collisions at the LHC

The energy deposited at very forward rapidities (very forward energy) is a powerful tool for characterising proton fragmentation in pp and p-Pb collisions. The correlation of very forward energy with particle production at midrapidity provides direct insights into the initial stages and the subsequent evolution of the collision. Furthermore, the correlation with the production of particles with large transverse momenta at midrapidity provides information complementary to the measurements of the underlying event, which are usually interpreted in the framework of models implementing centrality-dependent multiple parton interactions. Results about very forward energy, measured by the ALICE zero degree calorimeters (ZDCs), and its dependence on the activity measured at midrapidity in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV and in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s{NN}}$ = 8.16 TeV are discussed. The measurements performed in pp collisions are compared with the expectations of three hadronic interaction event generators: PYTHIA 6 (Perugia 2011 tune), PYTHIA 8 (Monash tune), and EPOS LHC. These results provide new constraints on the validity of models in describing the beam remnants at very forward rapidities, where perturbative QCD cannot be used.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Inclusive and multiplicity dependent production of electrons from heavy-flavour hadron decays in pp and p-Pb collisions

Measurements of the production of electrons from heavy-flavour hadron decays in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV at midrapidity with the ALICE detector are presented down to a transverse momentum (p T ) of 0.2 GeV/c and up to p T = 35 GeV/c, which is the largest momentum range probed for inclusive electron measurements in ALICE. In p-Pb collisions, the production cross section and the nuclear modification factor of electrons from heavy-flavour hadron decays are measured in the p T range 0.5 < p T < 26 GeV/c at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$= 8.16 TeV. The nuclear modification factor is found to be consistent with unity within the statistical and systematic uncertainties. In both collision systems, first measurements of the yields of electrons from heavy-flavour hadron decays in different multiplicity intervals normalised to the multiplicity-integrated yield (self-normalised yield) at midrapidity are reported as a function of the self-normalised charged-particle multiplicity estimated at midrapidity. The self-normalised yields in pp and p-Pb collisions grow faster than linear with the self-normalised multiplicity. A strong p T dependence is observed in pp collisions, where the yield of high-p T electrons increases faster as a function of multiplicity than the one of low-p T electrons. The measurement in p-Pb collisions shows no p T dependence within uncertainties. The self-normalised yields in pp and p-Pb collisions are compared with measurements of other heavy-flavour, light-flavour, and strange particles, and with Monte Carlo simulations.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Azimuthal anisotropy of jet particles in p-Pb and Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{{\textrm{s}}_{\textrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV

The azimuthal anisotropy of particles associated with jets (jet particles) at midrapidity is measured for the first time in p-Pb and Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{{\textrm{s}}_{\textrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV down to transverse momentum (p T ) of 0.5 GeV/c and 2 GeV/c, respectively, with ALICE. The results obtained in p-Pb collisions are based on a novel three-particle correlation technique. The azimuthal anisotropy coefficient v 2 in high-multiplicity p-Pb collisions is positive, with a significance reaching 6.8σ at low p T , and its magnitude is smaller than in semicentral Pb-Pb collisions. In contrast to the measurements in Pb-Pb collisions, the v 2 coefficient is also found independent of p T within uncertainties. Comparisons with the inclusive charged-particle v 2 and with AMPT calculations are discussed. The predictions suggest that parton interactions play an important role in generating a non-zero jet-particle v 2 in p-Pb collisions, even though they overestimate the reported measurement. These observations shed new insights on the understanding of the origin of the collective behaviour of jet particles in small systems such as p-Pb collisions, and provide significant stringent new constraints to models.

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Light neutral-meson production in pp collisions at $\sqrt{\text{s}}$ = 13 TeV

The momentum-differential invariant cross sections of π 0 and η mesons are reported for pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV at midrapidity (|y| < 0.8). The measurement is performed in a broad transverse-momentum range of 0.2 < p T < 200 GeV/c and 0.4 < p T < 60 GeV/c for the π 0 and η, respectively, extending the p T coverage of previous measurements. Transverse-mass-scaling violation of up to 60% at low transverse momentum has been observed, agreeing with measurements at lower collision energies. Transverse Bjorken x (x T ) scaling of the π 0 cross sections at LHC energies is fulfilled with a power-law exponent of n = 5.01 ± 0.05, consistent with values obtained for charged pions at similar collision energies. The data are compared to predictions from next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations, where the π 0 spectrum is best described using the CT18 parton distribution function and the NNFF1.0 or BDSS fragmentation function. Expectations from PYTHIA8 and EPOS LHC overestimate the spectrum for the π 0 and are not able to describe the shape and magnitude of the η spectrum. The charged-particle multiplicity dependent π 0 and η p T spectra show the expected change of the spectral shape, characterized by a flatter slope with increasing multiplicity. This is demonstrated across a broad transverse-momentum range and up to events with a charged-particle multiplicity exceeding five times the mean value in minimum bias collisions. The η/π 0 ratio depends on the charged-particle multiplicity for p T < 4 GeV/c. PYTHIA8 and EPOS LHC qualitatively explain this behavior with an increasing contribution from the feed-down of heavier particles to the π 0 spectrum.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Measurement of correlations among net-charge, net-proton, and net-kaon multiplicity distributions in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV

Correlations among conserved quantum numbers, such as the net-electric charge, the net-baryon, and the net-strangeness in heavy-ion collisions, are crucial for exploring the QCD phase diagram. In this paper, these correlations are investigated using net-proton number (as a proxy for the net-baryon), net-kaon number (for the net-strangeness), and net-charged particle number in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector. The observed correlations deviate from the Poissonian baseline, with a more pronounced deviation at LHC energies than at RHIC. Theoretical calculations of the Thermal-FIST hadron resonance gas model, HIJING, and EPOS LHC event generators are compared with experimental results, where a significant impact of resonance decays is observed. Thermal-FIST calculations under the grand canonical and canonical ensembles highlight significant differences, underscoring the role of local charge conservation in explaining the data. Recent lattice QCD studies have demonstrated that the magnetic field generated by spectator protons in heavy-ion collisions affects susceptibility ratios, in particular those related to the net-electric charge and the net-baryon numbers. The experimental findings are in qualitative agreement with the expectations of lattice QCD.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Z-boson production in p-Pb collisions at $ \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} $ = 8.16 TeV and Pb-Pb collisions at $ \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} $ = 5.02 TeV

Measurement of Z-boson production in p-Pb collisions at $ \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} $ = 8 . 16 TeV and Pb-Pb collisions at $ \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} $ = 5 . 02 TeV is reported. It is performed in the dimuon decay channel, through the detection of muons with pseudorapidity - 4 < η μ < - 2 . 5 and transverse momentum $ {p}_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mu } $ > 20 GeV/ c in the laboratory frame. The invariant yield and nuclear modification factor are measured for opposite-sign dimuons with invariant mass 60 < m μμ < 120 GeV/ c 2 and rapidity 2 . 5 < $ {y}_{\mathrm{cms}}^{\mu \mu} $ < 4. They are presented as a function of rapidity and, for the Pb-Pb collisions, of centrality as well. The results are compared with theoretical calculations, both with and without nuclear modifications to the Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs). In p-Pb collisions the center-of-mass frame is boosted with respect to the laboratory frame, and the measurements cover the backward ( - 4 . 46 < $ {y}_{\mathrm{cms}}^{\mu \mu} $ < - 2 . 96) and forward (2 . 03 < $ {y}_{\mathrm{cms}}^{\mu \mu} $ < 3 . 53) rapidity regions. For the p-Pb collisions, the results are consistent within experimental and theoretical uncertainties with calculations that include both free-nucleon and nuclear-modified PDFs. For the Pb-Pb collisions, a 3 . 4 σ deviation is seen in the integrated yield between the data and calculations based on the free-nucleon PDFs, while good agreement is found once nuclear modifications are considered.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Constraining the Chiral Magnetic Effect with charge-dependent azimuthal correlations in Pb-Pb collisions at $ \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} $ = 2.76 and 5.02 TeV

Systematic studies of charge-dependent two- and three-particle correlations in Pb-Pb collisions at $ \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} $ = 2.76 and 5.02 TeV used to probe the Chiral Magnetic Effect (CME) are presented. These measurements are performed for charged particles in the pseudorapidity ( η ) and transverse momentum ( p T ) ranges | η | < 0 . 8 and 0 . 2 < p T < 5 GeV/ c . A significant charge-dependent signal that becomes more pronounced for peripheral collisions is reported for the CME-sensitive correlators γ 1, 1 =$\langle4cos( φ α + φ β - 2Ψ 2 )$\rangle$ and γ 1, - 3 = $\langle$cos( φ α - 3 φ β + 2Ψ 2 )$\rangle$. The results are used to estimate the contribution of background effects, associated with local charge conservation coupled to anisotropic flow modulations, to measurements of the CME. A blast-wave parametrisation that incorporates local charge conservation tuned to reproduce the centrality dependent background effects is not able to fully describe the measured γ 1 , 1 . Finally, the charge and centrality dependence of mixed-harmonics three-particle correlations, of the form γ 1, 2 = $\langle$cos( φ α + 2 φ β - 3Ψ 3 )$\rangle$, which are insensitive to the CME signal, verify again that background contributions dominate the measurement of γ 1 , 1 .

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

J/ψ production as a function of charged-particle multiplicity in p-Pb collisions at $ \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} $ = 8.16 TeV

Inclusive J /ψ yields and average transverse momenta in p-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $ \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} $ = 8 . 16 TeV are measured as a function of the charged-particle pseudorapidity density with ALICE. The J /ψ mesons are reconstructed at forward (2 . 03 < y cms < 3 . 53) and backward ( - 4 . 46 < y cms < - 2 . 96) center-of-mass rapidity in their dimuon decay channel while the charged-particle pseudorapidity density is measured around midrapidity. The J /ψ yields at forward and backward rapidity normalized to their respective average values increase with the normalized charged-particle pseudorapidity density, the former showing a weaker increase than the latter. The normalized average transverse momenta at forward and backward rapidity manifest a steady increase from low to high charged-particle pseudorapidity density with a saturation beyond the average value.

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Jet fragmentation transverse momentum distributions in pp and p-Pb collisions at $ \sqrt{s}$, $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV

Jet fragmentation transverse momentum ( j T ) distributions are measured in proton-proton (pp) and proton-lead (p-Pb) collisions at s NN = 5 . 02 TeV with the ALICE experiment at the LHC. Jets are reconstructed with the ALICE tracking detectors and electromagnetic calorimeter using the anti- k T algorithm with resolution parameter R = 0 . 4 in the pseudorapidity range |η| < 0 . 25. The j T values are calculated for charged particles inside a fixed cone with a radius R = 0 . 4 around the reconstructed jet axis. The measured j T distributions are compared with a variety of parton-shower models. Herwig and P ythia 8 based models describe the data well for the higher j T region, while they underestimate the lower j T region. The j T distributions are further characterised by fitting them with a function composed of an inverse gamma function for higher j T values (called the “wide component”), related to the perturbative component of the fragmentation process, and with a Gaussian for lower j T values (called the “narrow component”), predominantly connected to the hadronisation process. The width of the Gaussian has only a weak dependence on jet transverse momentum, while that of the inverse gamma function increases with increasing jet transverse momentum. For the narrow component, the measured trends are successfully described by all models except for Herwig. For the wide component, Herwig and PYTHIA 8 based models slightly underestimate the data for the higher jet transverse momentum region. These measurements set constraints on models of jet fragmentation and hadronisation.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Studying strangeness and baryon production mechanisms through angular correlations between charged Ξ baryons and identified hadrons in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV

The angular correlations between charged Ξ baryons and associated identified hadrons (pions, kaons, protons, Λ baryons, and Ξ baryons) are measured in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with the ALICE detector to give insight into the particle production mechanisms and balancing of quantum numbers on the microscopic level. In particular, the distribution of strangeness is investigated in the correlations between the doubly-strange Ξ baryon and mesons and baryons that contain a single strange quark, K and Λ. As a reference, the results are compared to Ξπ and Ξp correlations, where the associated mesons and baryons do not contain a strange valence quark. These measurements are expected to be sensitive to whether strangeness is produced through string breaking or in a thermal production scenario. Furthermore, the multiplicity dependence of the correlation functions is measured to look for the turn-on of additional particle production mechanisms with event activity. The results are compared to predictions from the string-breaking model P YTHIA 8, including tunes with baryon junctions and rope hadronisation enabled, the cluster hadronisation model H ERWIG 7, and the core-corona model E POS-LHC . While some aspects of the experimental data are described quantitatively or qualitatively by the Monte Carlo models, no model can match all features of the data. These results provide stringent constraints on the strangeness and baryon number production mechanisms in pp collisions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Investigating strangeness enhancement with multiplicity in pp collisions using angular correlations

A study of strange hadron production associated with hard scattering processes and with the underlying event is conducted to investigate the origin of the enhanced production of strange hadrons in small collision systems characterised by large charged-particle multiplicities. For this purpose, the production of the single-strange meson ${\textrm{K}}_{\textrm{S}}^0$ and the double-strange baryon Ξ ± is measured, in each event, in the azimuthal direction of the highest-p T particle (“trigger” particle), related to hard scattering processes, and in the direction transverse to it in azimuth, associated with the underlying event, in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV and $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV using the ALICE detector at the LHC. The per-trigger yields of ${\textrm{K}}_{\textrm{S}}^0$ and Ξ ± are dominated by the transverse-to-leading production (i.e., in the direction transverse to the trigger particle), whose contribution relative to the toward-leading production is observed to increase with the event charged-particle multiplicity. The transverse-to-leading and the toward-leading Ξ ± /${\textrm{K}}_{\textrm{S}}^0$ yield ratios increase with the multiplicity of charged particles, suggesting that strangeness enhancement with multiplicity is associated with both hard scattering processes and the underlying event. The relative production of Ξ ± with respect to ${\textrm{K}}_{\textrm{S}}^0$ is higher in transverse-to-leading processes over the whole multiplicity interval covered by the measurement. The ${\textrm{K}}_{\textrm{S}}^0$ and Ξ ± per-trigger yields and yield ratios are compared with predictions of three different phenomenological models, namely Pythia8.2 with the Monash tune, Pythia8.2 with ropes and EPOS LHC. The comparison shows that none of them can quantitatively describe either the transverse-to-leading or the toward-leading yields of ${\textrm{K}}_{\textrm{S}}^0$ and Ξ ± .

hadron-hadron scattering↗

J/ ψ elliptic and triangular flow in Pb-Pb collisions at \( \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} \) = 5 . 02 TeV

The inclusive J/ ψ elliptic ( v 2 ) and triangular ( v 3 ) flow coefficients measured at forward rapidity (2 . 5 < y < 4) and the v 2 measured at midrapidity (| y | < 0 . 9) in Pb-Pb collisions at \( \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} \) = 5 . 02 TeV using the ALICE detector at the LHC are reported. The entire Pb-Pb data sample collected during Run 2 is employed, amounting to an integrated luminosity of 750 μ b – 1 at forward rapidity and 93 μ b – 1 at midrapidity. The results are obtained using the scalar product method and are reported as a function of transverse momentum p T and collision centrality. At midrapidity, the J/ ψ v 2 is in agreement with the forward rapidity measurement. The centrality averaged results indicate a positive J/ ψ v 3 with a significance of more than 5 σ at forward rapidity in the p T range 2 < p T < 5 GeV/ c . The forward rapidity v 2 , v 3 , and v 3 /v 2 results at low and intermediate p T ( p T ≲ 8 GeV/ c ) exhibit a mass hierarchy when compared to pions and D mesons, while converging into a species-independent curve at higher p T . At low and intermediate p T , the results could be interpreted in terms of a later thermalization of charm quarks compared to light quarks, while at high p T , path-length dependent effects seem to dominate. The J/ ψ v 2 measurements are further compared to a microscopic transport model calculation. Using a simplified extension of the quark scaling approach involving both light and charm quark flow components, it is shown that the D-meson v n measurements can be described based on those for charged pions and J/ ψ flow.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

First measurements of N -subjettiness in central Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s{NN}}$= 2.76 TeV

The ALICE Collaboration reports the first fully-corrected measurements of the N-subjettiness observable for track-based jets in heavy-ion collisions. This study is performed using data recorded in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at centre-of-mass energies of $\sqrt{s}$= 7 TeV and $\sqrt{s{NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV, respectively. In particular the ratio of 2-subjettiness to 1-subjettiness, τ 2 /τ 1 , which is sensitive to the rate of two-pronged jet substructure, is presented. Energy loss of jets traversing the strongly interacting medium in heavy-ion collisions is expected to change the rate of two-pronged substructure relative to vacuum. The results are presented for jets with a resolution parameter of R = 0.4 and charged jet transverse momentum of 40 ≤ pτ, jet ≤ 60 GeV/c, which constitute a larger jet resolution and lower jet transverse momentum interval than previous measurements in heavy-ion collisions. This has been achieved by utilising a semi-inclusive hadron-jet coincidence technique to suppress the larger jet combinatorial background in this kinematic region. No significant modification of the τ 2 /τ 1 observable for track-based jets in Pb-Pb collisions is observed relative to vacuum PYTHIA6 and PYTHIA8 references at the same collision energy. The measurements of τ 2 /τ 1 , together with the splitting aperture angle ΔR, are also performed in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV for inclusive jets. These results are compared with PYTHIA calculations at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV, in order to validate the model as a vacuum reference for the Pb-Pb centre-of-mass energy. The PYTHIA references for τ 2 /τ 1 are shifted to larger values compared to the measurement in pp collisions. This hints at a reduction in the rate of two-pronged jets in Pb-Pb collisions compared to pp collisions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Anisotropic flow of identified hadrons in $\mathrm{X}$e-$\mathrm{X}$e collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.44 $\mathrm{T}$e$\mathrm{V}$

Measurements of elliptic (v 2 ) and triangular (v 3 ) flow coefficients of π ± , K ± , $p+\bar{p}$, $K$$^{0}_{S}$, and $Λ+\bar{Λ}$ obtained with the scalar product method in Xe-Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.44 TeV are presented. The results are obtained in the rapidity range |y| < 0.5 and reported as a function of transverse momentum, p T , for several collision centrality classes. The flow coefficients exhibit a particle mass dependence for p T < 3 GeV/c, while a grouping according to particle type (i.e., meson and baryon) is found at intermediate transverse momenta (3 < p T < 8 GeV/c). The magnitude of the baryon v 2 is larger than that of mesons up to p T = 6 GeV/c. The centrality dependence of the shape evolution of the p T -differential v 2 is studied for the various hadron species. The v 2 coefficients of π ± , K ± , and $p+\bar{p}$ are reproduced by MUSIC hydrodynamic calculations coupled to a hadronic cascade model (UrQMD) for p T < 1 GeV/c. A comparison with v n measurements in the corresponding centrality intervals in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV yields an enhanced v 2 in central collisions and diminished value in semicentral collisions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Measurement of the production cross section of prompt $ {\Xi}_{\mathrm{c}}^0 $ baryons at midrapidity in pp collisions at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 5.02 TeV

The transverse momentum (p T ) differential cross section of the charm-strange baryon $ {\Xi}_{\mathrm{c}}^0 $ is measured at midrapidity (|y| < 0.5) via its semileptonic decay into e + Ξ - ν e in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The ratio of the p T -differential $ {\Xi}_{\mathrm{c}}^0 $-baryon and D 0 -meson production cross sections is also reported. The measurements are compared with simulations with different tunes of the PYTHIA 8 event generator, with predictions from a statistical hadronisation model (SHM) with a largely augmented set of charm-baryon states beyond the current lists of the Particle Data Group, and with models including hadronisation via quark coalescence. The p T -integrated cross section of prompt $ {\Xi}_{\mathrm{c}}^0 $-baryon production at midrapidity is also reported, which is used to calculate the baryon-to-meson ratio $ {\Xi}_{\mathrm{c}}^0 $/D 0 = 0.20 ± 0.04 (stat.)$^{+0.08}_{-0.07}$ (syst.). These results provide an additional indication of a modification of the charm fragmentation from e + e - and e - p collisions to pp collisions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Measurement of the non-prompt D-meson fraction as a function of multiplicity in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV

The fractions of non-prompt (i.e. originating from beauty-hadron decays) D 0 and D + mesons with respect to the inclusive yield are measured as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The results are reported in intervals of transverse momentum (pT) and integrated in the range 1 < p T < 24 GeV/c. The fraction of non-prompt D 0 and D + mesons is found to increase slightly as a function of p T in all the measured multiplicity intervals, while no significant dependence on the charged-particle multiplicity is observed. In order to investigate the production and hadronisation mechanisms of charm and beauty quarks, the results are compared to PYTHIA 8 as well as EPOS 3 and EPOS 4 Monte Carlo simulations, and to calculations based on the colour glass condensate including three-pomeron fusion.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Energy dependence of coherent photonuclear production of J/ψ mesons in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{{\textrm{s}}_{\textrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV

The cross section for coherent photonuclear production of J/ψ is presented as a function of the electromagnetic dissociation (EMD) of Pb. The measurement is performed with the ALICE detector in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of $\sqrt{{\textrm{s}}_{\textrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV. Cross sections are presented in five different J/ψ rapidity ranges within |y| < 4, with the J/ψ reconstructed via its dilepton decay channels. In some events the J/ψ is not accompanied by EMD, while other events do produce neutrons from EMD at beam rapidities either in one or the other beam direction, or in both. The cross sections in a given rapidity range and for different configurations of neutrons from EMD allow for the extraction of the energy dependence of this process in the range 17 < W γ Pb,n < 920 GeV, where W γ Pb,n is the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon of the γPb system. This range corresponds to a Bjorken-x interval spanning about three orders of magnitude: 1.1 × 10 —5 < x < 3.3 × 10 —2 . In addition to the ultra-peripheral and photonuclear cross sections, the nuclear suppression factor is obtained. These measurements point to a strong depletion of the gluon distribution in Pb nuclei over a broad, previously unexplored, energy range. These results, together with previous ALICE measurements, provide unprecedented information to probe quantum chromodynamics at high energies.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Measurement of beauty-quark production in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV via non-prompt D mesons

The p T -diferential production cross sections of non-prompt D 0 , D + , and D$^+_s$ at a centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV. The measurements are performed at midrapidity, |y| < 0.5, with the data sample collected by ALICE from 2016 to 2018. The results are in agreement with predictions from several perturbative QCD calculations. The fragmentation fraction of beauty quarks to strange mesons divided by the one to non-strange mesons, $f_s$/($f_u$ +$f_d$), is found to be 0.114 ± 0.016 (stat.) ± 0.006 (syst.) ± 0.003 (BR) ± 0.003 (extrap.). This value is compatible with previous measurements at lower centre-of-mass energies and in diferent collision systems in agreement with the assumption of universality of fragmentation functions. In addition, the dependence of the non-prompt D meson production on the centre of-mass energy is investigated by comparing the results obtained at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 and 13 TeV, showing a hardening of the non-prompt D-meson p T -diferential production cross section at higher $\sqrt{s}$. Finally, the $b\overline{b}$ production cross section per unit of rapidity at midrapidity is calculated from the non-prompt D 0 , D + , D$^+_s$, and $Λ^+_c$ hadron measurements, obtaining dσ/dy = 75.2 ± 3.2 (stat.) ± 5.2 (syst.)$^{+12.3}_{-3.2}$ (extrap.) µb.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗