Production of K*(892)0 and ϕ(1020) in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

Abstract

The production of K∗(892)0 and φ(1020) in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV was measured by the ALICE experiment at the LHC. The yields and the transverse momentum spectra d2N/dydpT at midrapidity |y| < 0.5 in the range 0 < pT < 6 GeV/c for K∗(892)0 and 0.4 < pT < 6 GeV/c for φ(1020) are reported and compared to model predictions. Using the yield of pions, kaons, and baryons measured previously by ALICE at √s = 7 TeV, the ratios K∗/K−, φ/K∗, φ/K−, φ/π−, and ( + )/φ are presented. The values of the K∗/K−, φ/K∗ and φ/K− ratios are similar to those found at lower centre-of-mass energies. In contrast, the φ/π− ratio, which has been observed to increase with energy, seems to saturate above 200 GeV. The ( + )/φ ratio in the pT range 1–5 GeV/c is found to be in good agreement with the prediction of the HIJING/BB v2.0 model with a strong colour field.