On the $M_T$ scaling of dilepton spectra in high energy heavy ion collisions

Abstract

The so-called $M_T$ scaling for dilepton spectra at RHIC energies is examined. It is seen that a proper accounting of the complete set of dilepton producing processes forces us to abandon the proposed scaling around $M_T$ = 2.6 GeV, which has been put forward as a possible signature of the presence of quark-matter. Any substantial transverse expansion in the QGP phase itself will also offset this scaling behaviour. The rates of lepton pair production are time--integrated in Bjorken hydrodynamics and the different sources are compared against each other.