Speaker
Description
The $\phi$ meson serves as a key probe for studying the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) due to its short lifetime and the weak interaction of its decay muons with the surrounding hadronic matter, making the $\phi\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-$ decay channel particularly effective. As a pure $s\bar{s}$ state, the $\phi$ meson provides insight into strangeness enhancement and the mechanisms governing parton interactions in the QGP, placing strong constraints on models of parton energy loss and recombination. Previous PHENIX measurements in small collision systems revealed cold nuclear matter effects on $\phi$ meson production. Extending these studies to Au+Au collisions allows exploration of hot nuclear matter effects, including modification of parton dynamics and hadronization in the QGP. In this talk, we present the first measurement of low-mass vector mesons ($\omega$, $\rho$, and $\phi$) at forward rapidity ($1.2 < |y| < 2.2$) in $p$+$p$ and Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 200$ GeV, using the PHENIX detector. Results are reported as a function of transverse momentum ($p_T$) and the average number of participating nucleons, $\langle N_{part}\rangle$. While $\omega$ and $\rho$ mesons show significant suppression across the full $p_T$ and $\langle N_{part}\rangle$ range, the $\phi$ meson exhibits a distinct pattern: suppression at high $p_T$ and enhancement in central collisions at intermediate $p_T$ region. These findings provide insight into the nuclear medium's effect on particle production and the flavor dependence of particle production in the QGP.\
| Is this an experimental talk? | Yes |
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| Is this on behalf of a collaboration? | Yes |
| Which collaboration? | PHENIX |
| Are you willing to present as a poster if it is not selected for oral presentation? | Yes |