K$^0_s$K$^0_s$ correlations in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV from the LHC ALICE experiment

Abstract

Identical neutral kaon pair correlations are measured in $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV pp collisions in the ALICE experiment. One-dimensional K$^0_s$K$^0_s$ correlation functions in terms of the invariant momentum difference of kaon pairs are formed in two multiplicity and two transverse momentum ranges. The femtoscopic parameters for the radius and correlation strength of the kaon source are extracted. The f${\rm i}$t includes quantum statistics and final-state interactions of the a$_0$/f$_0$ resonance. K$^0_s$K$^0_s$ correlations show an increase in radius for increasing multiplicity and a slight decrease in radius for increasing transverse mass, $m_{\rm T}$, as seen in $\pi\pi$ correlations in the pp system and in heavy-ion collisions. Transverse mass scaling is observed between the K$^0_s$K$^0_s$ and $\pi\pi$ radii. Also, the f${\rm i}$rst observation is made of the decay of the f$_2'$(1525) meson into the K$^0_s$K$^0_s$ channel in pp collisions.