Forward and midrapidity charmonium production at RHIC

Abstract

$J/\psi$ production at forward and midrapidity at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC) is calculated within a previously constructed rate-equation approach accounting for both direct production and regeneration from $c$ and $\bar c$. The results are compared to experimental data. The observed stronger suppression at forward rapidity can be qualitatively explained by a smaller statistical regeneration component together with stronger cold nuclear matter induced suppression compared to midrapidity. The $\chi_c$ over $J/\psi$ ratio and $\psi'$ over $J/\psi$ ratio are also calculated.