Source breakup dynamics in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV via three-dimensional two-pion source imaging

Abstract

A three-dimensional (3D) correlation function obtained from mid-rapidity, low pT pion pairs in central Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV is studied. The extracted model-independent source function indicates a long range tail in the directions of the pion pair transverse momentum (out) and the beam (long). Model comparisons to these distensions indicate a proper breakup time τ_0 ~ 9 fm/c and a mean proper emission duration Δτ~ 2 fm/c, leading to sizable emission time differences (<|Δτ_LCM |> ~ 12 fm/c), partly due to resonance decays. They also suggest an outside-in "burning" of the emission source reminiscent of many hydrodynamical models.

345 authors, 6 pages text, RevTeX-4, 3 figures. Submitted to Physical Review Letters. Plain text data tables for the points plotted in figures for this and previous PHENIX publications are (or will be) publicly available at http://www.phenix.bnl.gov/papers.html