Measurement of jet suppression in central Pb–Pb collisions at √sNN=2.76 TeV

Abstract

The transverse momentum (pT) spectrum and nuclear modification factor (RAA) of reconstructed jets in 0–10% and 10–30% central Pb–Pb collisions at sNN=2.76 TeV were measured. Jets were reconstructed using the anti-kT jet algorithm with a resolution parameter of R=0.2 from charged and neutral particles, utilizing the ALICE tracking detectors and Electromagnetic Calorimeter (EMCal). The jet pT spectra are reported in the pseudorapidity interval of |ηjet|<0.5 for 40<pT,jet<120 GeV/c in 0–10% and for 30<pT,jet<100 GeV/c in 10–30% collisions. Reconstructed jets were required to contain a leading charged particle with pT>5 GeV/c to suppress jets constructed from the combinatorial background in Pb–Pb collisions. The leading charged particle requirement applied to jet spectra both in pp and Pb–Pb collisions had a negligible effect on the RAA. The nuclear modification factor RAA was found to be 0.28±0.04 in 0–10% and 0.35±0.04 in 10–30% collisions, independent of pT,jet within the uncertainties of the measurement. The observed suppression is in fair agreement with expectations from two model calculations with different approaches to jet quenching. © 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration