Recent results on spectra and yields from NA49

Abstract

The energy dependence of hadron production in central Pb+Pb collisions is presented and discussed. In particular, midrapidity $m_T$-spectra for $\pi^-$, $K^-$, $K^+$, $p$, $\bar{p}$, $d$, $\phi$, $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ at 40, 80 and 158 $A$GeV are shown. In addition $\Xi$ and $\Omega$ spectra are available at 158 $A$GeV. The spectra allow to determine the thermal freeze-out temperature $T$ and the transverse flow velocity $\beta_T$ at the three energies. We do not observe a significant energy dependence of these parameters; furthermore there is no indication of early thermal freeze-out of $\Xi$ and $\Omega$ at 158 $A$GeV. Rapidity spectra for $\pi^-$, $K^-$, $K^+$ and $\phi$ at 40, 80 and 158 $A$GeV are shown, as well as first results on $\Omega$ rapidity distributions at 158 $A$GeV. The chemical freeze-out parameters $T$ and $\mu_B$ at the three energies are determined from the total yields. The parameters are close to the expected phase boundary in the SPS energy range and above. Using the total yields of kaons and lambdas, the energy dependence of the strangeness to pion ratio is discussed. A maximum in this ratio is found at 40 $A$GeV. This maximum could indicate the formation of deconfined matter at energies above 40 $A$GeV. A search for open charm in a large sample of 158 $A$GeV events is presented. No signal is observed. This result is compared to several model predictions.