Identified-particle production and spectra with the ALICE detector in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC

Abstract

Thanks to its unique capabilities the ALICE experiment can measure the production of identified particles and resonances over a wide momentum range both in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC. In this report, particle-identification detectors and techniques, as well as achieved performance, are shortly reviewed. The current results on hadron transverse momentum spectra measured in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 0.9 TeV and 7 TeV, and in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV are shown. In particular, proton-proton results on particle production yields, spectral shapes and particle ratios are presented as a function of the collision energy and compared to previous experiments and commonly-used Monte Carlo models. Particle spectra, yields and ratios in Pb-Pb are measured as a function of the collision centrality and the results are compared with published RHIC data in Au-Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 0.2 TeV and predictions for the LHC.