$\phi$ meson production in Au - Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV

Abstract

A simultaneous measurement of the $\phi$ meson via its $K^{+} K^{-} $ and $e^{+} e^{-}$ decay channels was performed in Au + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV at mid-rapidity by the PHENIX experiment. The preliminary minimum bias yields $dN_{\phi}/dy$ in the kaon and electron channels are $2.01 \pm 0.22 (stat.) ^{+1.01}_{-0.52} (syst.)$ and $5.4 \pm 2.5 (stat) ^{+3.4}_{-2.8} (syst.)$, respectively. The centrality dependence of the yield in the $K^{+} K^{-} $ channel is presented.