The production of prompt $\mathrm {\Lambda_{c}^{+}}$ baryons has been measured at midrapidity in the transverse momentum interval $0<p_{\rm T}<1$ GeV/$c$ for the first time, in pp and p-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collision $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.02$ TeV. The measurement was performed in the decay channel ${\rm \Lambda_{c}^{+}\to p K^{0}_{S}}$ by applying new decay reconstruction techniques using a Kalman-Filter vertexing algorithm and adopting a machine-learning approach for the candidate selection. The $p_{\rm T}$-integrated $\mathrm {\Lambda_{c}^{+}}$ production cross sections in both collision systems were determined and used along with the measured yields in Pb-Pb collisions to compute the $p_{\rm T}$-integrated nuclear modification factors $R_{\rm pPb}$ and $R_\mathrm{AA}$ of $\mathrm{\Lambda_{c}^{+}}$ baryons, which are compared to model calculations that consider nuclear modification of the parton distribution functions. The $\mathrm{\Lambda_{c}^{+}/D^0}$ baryon-to-meson yield ratio is reported for pp and p-Pb collisions. Comparisons with models that include modified hadronisation processes are presented, and the implications of the results on the understanding of charm hadronisation in hadronic collisions are discussed. A significant ($3.7\sigma$) modification of the mean transverse momentum of $\mathrm {\Lambda_{c}^{+}}$ baryons is seen in p-Pb collisions with respect to pp collisions, while the $p_{\rm T}$-integrated $\mathrm{\Lambda_{c}^{+}/D^0}$ yield ratio was found to be consistent between the two collision systems within the uncertainties.
The $p_\mathrm{T}$-differential prompt $\Lambda_\mathrm{c}^{+}$ production cross sections per unit rapidity in pp collisions for $|y| < 0.5$, at $\sqrt{s} = 5.02$ TeV. Data for $1<p_\mathrm{T} < 12$ GeV/$c$ from Phys.Rev.Lett. 127 (2021) 202301, 2021, https://www.hepdata.net/record/ins1829739.
The $p_\mathrm{T}$-differential prompt $\Lambda_\mathrm{c}^{+}$ production cross sections per unit rapidity in p-Pb collisions for $-0.96<y_\mathrm{cms}<0.04$, at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.02$ TeV. Data for $1<p_\mathrm{T} < 24$ GeV/$c$ from Phys.Rev.Lett. 127 (2021) 202301, 2021, https://www.hepdata.net/record/ins1829739.
The $p_\mathrm{T}$-integrated production cross sections per unit rapidity for prompt $\Lambda_\mathrm{c}^{+}$ baryons in pp and p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.02$ TeV.
The prompt production of the charm baryon $\rm \Lambda_{c}^{+}$ and the $\rm \Lambda_{c}^{+}/\mathrm {D^0}$ production ratios were measured at midrapidity with the ALICE detector in pp and p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 5.02$TeV. These new measurements show a clear decrease of the $\rm \Lambda_{c}^{+}/\mathrm {D^0}$ ratio with increasing transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) in both collision systems in the range $2<p_{\rm T}<12$ GeV/$c$, exhibiting similarities with the light-flavour baryon-to-meson ratios ${\rm p}/\pi$ and $\Lambda/\mathrm {K^0_S}$. At low $p_{\rm T}$, predictions that include additional colour-reconnection mechanisms beyond the leading-colour approximation; assume the existence of additional higher-mass charm-baryon states; or include hadronisation via coalescence can describe the data, while predictions driven by charm-quark fragmentation processes measured in $\mathrm {e^+e^-}$ and $\mathrm {e^-p}$ collisions significantly underestimate the data. The results presented in this letter provide significant evidence that the established assumption of universality (colliding-system independence) of parton-to-hadron fragmentation is not sufficient to describe charm-baryon production in hadronic collisions at LHC energies.
Prompt $\Lambda_{\rm {c}}^{+}$ baryon $p_{\rm {T}}$-differential cross section in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 5.02$ TeV in the rapidity interval $|y|<0.5$.
Prompt $\Lambda_{\rm {c}}^{+}$ baryon $p_{\rm {T}}$-differential cross section in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm {NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV in the rapidity interval $-0.96 \lt y \lt 0.04$.
The nuclear modification factor $R_\mathrm{pPb}$ of prompt $\Lambda_{\rm {c}}^{+}$ baryons in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm {NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV in the rapidity interval $ -0.96\lt y \lt 0.04$.
Forum