Published May 31, 2002 | Version v1
Journal article

Elliptic flow from two- and four-particle correlations in Au + Au collisions at √sNN = 130 GeV

Creators

Description

Elliptic flow holds much promise for studying the early-time thermalization attained in ultrarelativistic nuclear collisions. Flow measurements also provide a means of distinguishing between hydrodynamic models and calculations which approach the low density (dilute gas) limit. Among the effects that can complicate the interpretation of elliptic flow measurements are azimuthal correlations that are unrelated to the reaction plane (non-flow correlations). Using data for Au + Au collisions at √sNN = 130 GeV from the STAR TPC, it is found that four-particle correlation analyses can reliably separate flow and non-flow correlation signals. The latter account for on average about 15 percent of the observed second-harmonic azimuthal correlation, with the largest relative contribution for the most peripheral and the most central collisions. The results are also corrected for the effect of flow variations within centrality bins. This effect is negligible for all but the most central bin , where the correction to the elliptic flow is about a factor of two. A simple new method for two-particle flow analysis based on scalar products is described. An analysis based on the distribution of the magnitude of the flow vector is also described

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review. C, Nuclear Physics
Journal Volume
6603
Journal Issue
3
Journal Page Range
[10 p.]
ISSN
0556-2813

Optional Information

Contract/Grant/Project number
AC03-76SF00098
Notes
Journal Publication Date: 09/2002
Funding organization
US Department of Energy (United States)
Secondary number(s)
LBNL--50591