$J/\psi$ suppression in the threshold model and QGP formation time

Abstract

In the QGP motivated threshold model, in addition to the normal nuclear absorption, $J/\psi$'s are subjected to an additional "anomalous" suppression. We have analysed the recently published PHENIX data on the participant number dependence of the nuclear modification factor for $J/\psi$'s in Au+Au collisions and extracted the anomalous suppression required to explain the data. At mid rapidity $J/\psi$'s are anomalously suppressed only above a threshold density $n_c$=3.73 fm$^{-2}$. The forward rapidity data on the otherhand require that $J/\psi$'s are continuously "anomalously" suppressed. The analysis strongly indicate that in mid rapidity $J/\psi$'s are suppressed in a deconfined medium. Using the PHENIX data on the participant number dependence of the Bjorken energy density, we have also estimated the QGP formation time. For critical temperature $T_c$=192 MeV, estimated QGP formation time ranges between 0.06-0.08 fm/c.