Transverse Momentum Spectra of $J/\psi$ and $\psi^{\prime}$ Mesons from Quark Gluon Plasma Hadronization in Nuclear Collisions

Abstract

Recent results on transverse mass spectra of $J/\psi$ and $\psi^{\prime}$ mesons in central Pb+Pb collisions at 158 A$\cdot$GeV are considered. It is shown that those results support a hypothesis of statistical production of charmonia at hadronization and suggest the early thermal freeze--out of $J/\psi$ and $\psi^{\prime}$ mesons. Based on this approach the collective transverse velocity of hadronizing quark gluon plasma is estimated to be $<v^H_T> \approx 0.2$. Predictions for transverse mass spectra of hidden and open charm mesons at SPS and RHIC are discussed.