Energy Dependence of Light Nuclei ($d$, $t$) Production at STAR

Abstract

In high-energy nuclear collisions, the production of light nuclei is sensitive to the temperature and phase-space density of the system at freeze-out. In addition, the phase transition from QGP to the hadronic phase will lead to large baryon density fluctuation, which will be reflected in the light nuclei production. For example, the ratio of proton ($N(p)$) and triton ($N(t)$) to deuteron ($N(d)$) yields, which is defined as $N(t)$$\cdot$$N(p)$/$N^2(d)$, may be used as a sensitive observable to search for the QCD critical point. In this paper, we will report the energy dependence of light nuclei ($d$, $t$) production in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ =7.7, 11.5, 14.5, 19.6, 27, 39, 62.4, and 200 GeV measured by the STAR experiment at RHIC. We will present the beam energy dependence for the coalescence parameter $B_2(d)$ and $B_3(t)$, particle ratios ($d/p$, $t/p$, and $t/d$), and the yield ratio of $N(t)$$\cdot$$N(p)$/$N^2(d)$. Their physics implications will be discussed.