Evolution of midrapidity average transverse momentum of pions, kaons, protons and antiprotons in Au+Au collisions in (snn)1∕2= 7–39-GeV energy range from the beam energy scan program

Abstract

The [Formula: see text] dependencies of the experimental average transverse momentum, [Formula: see text], of the charged pions, charged kaons, protons and antiprotons produced at midrapidity ([Formula: see text]) in [Formula: see text] collisions from the Beam Energy Scan (BES) program at the RHIC (Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider), measured by STAR Collaboration in the [Formula: see text]–39-GeV energy range, have been described quite well with the power-law model function. We have obtained [Formula: see text] inequality at all BES energies, indicating the clear mass ordering (dependence) of the power parameter [Formula: see text]. On the whole, the exponent parameter [Formula: see text] for the charged kaons as well as (anti)protons decreases noticeably with increasing [Formula: see text] collision energy from [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV to [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV. Drastic change observed in the energy ([Formula: see text]) dependence of the parameter [Formula: see text] for the charged kaons at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV could possibly indicate a significant change in the mechanism(s) of the charged kaon production in [Formula: see text] collisions at around [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV. Significant change in the [Formula: see text] dependence of the parameter [Formula: see text] for the charged pions observed at around [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV is consistent with a possible change in the mechanism(s) of the particle production in [Formula: see text] collisions at around [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV, reported earlier by STAR Collaboration. Significant gaps between [Formula: see text] (protons) and [Formula: see text] (antiprotons) as well as between ([Formula: see text]) and [Formula: see text] have been seen in the region [Formula: see text]–20[Formula: see text]GeV. These gaps diminish and practically disappear with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] (protons) [Formula: see text] (antiprotons) in the region [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV. Altogether, the findings, regarding collision energy dependencies of the parameter [Formula: see text] for the studied particle species, could indicate the probable phase transition of a nuclear matter to the mixed phase of QGP and hadrons taking place in [Formula: see text] collisions at around [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV. The differences found between parameter [Formula: see text] versus [Formula: see text] dependencies of the particles and antiparticles have been connected with the ratios of antiparticle and particle yields and differences in the mechanisms of production of particles and antiparticles. It is deduced that the exponent parameter [Formula: see text] should be sensitive to the degree of particle (system) thermalization and particle production mechanisms, and its drastic change could be related to the change in the mechanisms of particle production or/and phase transitions in the nuclear/hadronic matter.