EPJ Web of Conferences 36, 00004 (2012)
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20123600006

Light vector mesons and the dielectron continuum in PHENIX

Iowa State University

^a e-mail: campbels@iastate.edu

Abstract

The PHENIX experiment at RHIC has measured the dielectron continuum and the ω and ϕ light vector mesons using hadronic and dielectron decay channels in √s_NN = 200 GeV p+p, d+Au, Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions. The ω and ϕ mesons experience no strong cold nuclear matter effects but in central heavy ion collisions their yields are suppressed at high p_T, extending to intermediate p_T for the ϕ. The comparison of the ω and ϕ suppression to the suppression of other hadrons suggests parton energy loss for high p_T mesons and favors a recombination production mechanism for intermediate p_T ϕ mesons. The dielectron continuum shows a low mass excess in central Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions while the p+p and d+Au spectra agree with their respective cocktails. The low mass excess consists of a high p_T thermal virtual photon component and a much larger low p_T component.