$K^-$ and $\bar p$ Spectra for Au+Au Collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 200 GeV from STAR, PHENIX and BRAHMS in Comparison to Core-Corona Model Predictions

Abstract

Based on results obtained with event generators we have launched the core-corona model. It describes in a simplified way but quite successfully the centrality dependence of multiplicity and $<p_t>$ of identified particles observed in heavy-ion reaction at beam energies between $\sqrt{s}$ = 17 GeV and 200 GeV. Also the centrality dependence of the elliptic flow, $v_2$, for all charged and identified particles could be explained in this model. Here we extend this analysis and study the centrality dependence of single particle spectra of $K^-$ and ${\bar p}$ measured by the PHENIX, STAR and BRAHMS collaborations. We find that also for these particles the analysis of the spectra in the core-corona model suffers from differences in the data published by the different experimental groups, notably for the pp collisions. As for protons and $K^+$ for each experience the data agree well with the prediction of the core-corona model but the value of the two necessary parameters depends on the experiments. We show as well that the average momentum as a function of the centrality depends in a very sensitive way on the particle species and may be quite different for particles which have about the same mass. Therefore the idea to interpret this centrality dependence as a consequence of a collective expansion of the system, as done in blast way fits may be premature.