Inclusive J/ψ production at forward and backward rapidity in p-Pb collisions at √sNN = 8.16 TeV

Abstract

Inclusive J/ production is studied in p{Pb interactions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collision p sNN = 8:16TeV, using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. The J/ meson is reconstructed, via its decay to a muon pair, in the centreof- mass rapidity intervals 2:03 < ycms < 3:53 and ð€€€4:46 < ycms < ð€€€2:96, where positive and negative ycms refer to the p-going and Pb-going direction, respectively. The transverse momentum coverage is pT < 20 GeV/c. In this paper, ycms- and pT-di erential cross sections for inclusive J/ production are presented, and the corresponding nuclear modi- cation factors RpPb are shown. Forward results show a suppression of the J/ yield with respect to pp collisions, concentrated in the region pT . 5 GeV/c. At backward rapidity no signi cant suppression is observed. The results are compared to previous measurements by ALICE in p{Pb collisions at p sNN = 5:02TeV and to theoretical calculations. Finally, the ratios RFB between forward- and backward-ycms RpPb values are shown and discussed.