Two particle correlation studies in

Relativistic heavy ion collisions

Dipak Kumar Mishra
IOP, BBSR

Two particle correlation reflects the space-time geometry of

the evolving reaction zone.

What is correlation?

The phenomenon of space-time or energy-momentum

correlation of detected identical particles emitted from
an extended source.
Intensity of one particle at one energy-momentum point
and the intensity of another particle at another energymomentum point measured in coincidence.

Why momentum correlation ?

It involves the detection of two identical particles in
coincidence.
The exchange symmetry of the identical particles is the
origin of the momentum correlation.

For single particle case:

Probability amplitude for detecting a particle

r, t
Extended source

r, t
detector

A = eiS(path) ~ eip. (r - r)
all paths

Probability for a particle of momentum

p to be produced from the extended source
P(p) = |A(p,r)ei(r) eip.(r - r)| 2

For two particle case:

r1

p1

r1

detectors

r2

p2

r2

Amplitude for detecting two particles is:

A =

e p .(r - r ) e p .(r - r )

1
---

i 1

i p2.(r 1- r2)
p
.(r
r
)
1
2
1
e

e
i

Probability for detecting the the two pions:

2
4
4
P(p1,p2) =
r
d
d
r
A
1 2 ( r1) ( r2)
2
1 ~(q )

The two particle momentum distribution function is

P(p1,p2) = P(p1) P(p2) (1 + |eff(q,p1p2)|2)
Correlation function is:
P(p1,p2)
C2(p1,p2) = --------------P(p1) P(p2)
= 1 + |eff(q,p1p2)|2

For coherent sources:

In which the production phase (x) is const, so that all

production phases at diff. source points are the same.
P(p1,p2) = P(p1) P(p2)
C2(p1,p2) = 1

The 2-particle probability function is proportional to the

product of the single particle momentum distributions.
The probability for the detection of one pion of one
momentum is independent of the probability for the
detection of another pion of another momentum.

For chaotic sources:

The phase function is not well behaved.
The terms in which the random phases will not cancel out ,
leads to correlation.
P(p1,p2) = P(p1) P(p2)
=> 2-particle correlation exists
The exchange symmetry involving identical particles is
the origin of the momentum correlation of Chaotic sources.
1 <= C(p1,p2) <= 2

What Causes Loss of 2-particle correlation?

Absence of 2-particle correlation is due to coherent
particle emission

In a central collision, multiple rescattering of

coherently produced particles can randomize phases,
allowing 2-particle correlation to occur.
In a peripheral collision, if particles are produced
coherently they will have less of a chance of
rescattering, and so phases will remain coherent.

Using Gaussian parametrization:

C2(q) = 1 + exp(-Ro2qo2 - Rs2qs2 - Rl2ql2)
Rl --->longitudinal radius of the source
Ro and Rs

--> radius of the source

along transverse direction

chaoticity parameter
Detectors

Au + Au at sqrt(sNN) = 130GeV
negative pions at mid-rapidity

Centrality and mT dependences of source size parameters

+ and show same dependences

s dont change with multiplicity
Rs increase with centrality
s increase but Rs decrease
with mT
Ro < Rs

Sqrt(S) dependence of source size parameters viewed by

negative pions
NA44

E895
NA49
PHENIX
WA98

* STAR

Ro~Rs
Parameters are quite similar to SPS Non QGP Ro/Rs ~ 1.0 to 1.2
Transverse radii seems to be constant QGP Ro/Rs ~ 1.5 to 10
Longitudinal radius inceases