Centrality Scaling of the $p_T$ Distribution of Pions

Abstract

From the preliminary data of PHENIX on the centrality dependence of the $\pi^0$ spectrum in $p_T$ at midrapidity in heavy-ion collisions, we show that a scaling behavior exists that is independent of the centrality. It is then shown that $<p_T>$ degrades with increasing $N_{\rm part}$ exponentially with a decay constant that can be quantified. A scaling distribution in terms of an intuitive scaling variable is derived that is analogous to the KNO scaling. No theoretical models are used in any part of this phenomenological analysis.