Measurement of prompt D-meson production in p–Pb collisions at √ sNN = 5 .02 TeV

Abstract

The pT-differential production cross sections of the prompt charmed mesons D0, Dþ, D þ, and Dþs and center-of-mass energy sNN 1⁄4 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The nuclear modification factor RpPb, quantifying the D-meson yield in p-Pb collisions relative to the yield in pp collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions, is compatible within the 15%–20% uncertainties with unity in the transverse momentum interval 1 < pT < 24 GeV=c. No significant difference among the RpPb of the four D-meson species is observed. The results are described within uncertainties by theoretical calculations that include initial-state effects. The measurement adds experimental evidence that the modification of the momentum spectrum of D mesons observed in Pb-Pb collisions with respect to pp collisions is due to strong final-state effects induced by hot partonic matter.