Observation of $Au + Au \to Au + Au + ρ^0$ and $Au + Au \to Au^* + Au^* + ρ^0$ with STAR

Abstract

We report the first observation of the reactions $Au + Au \to Au + Au + ρ^0$ and $Au + Au \to Au^* + Au^* + ρ^0$ with the STAR detector. The $ρ$ are produced at small perpendicular momentum, as expected if they couple coherently to both nuclei. We discuss models of vector meson production and the correlation with nuclear breakup, and present a fundamental test of quantum mechanics that is possible with the system.