Forward and midrapidity charmonium production at RHIC

Abstract

$J/ψ$ production at forward and midrapidity at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC) is calculated within a previously constructed rate-equation approach accounting for both direct production and regeneration from $c$ and $\bar c$. The results are compared to experimental data. The observed stronger suppression at forward rapidity can be qualitatively explained by a smaller statistical regeneration component together with stronger cold nuclear matter induced suppression compared to midrapidity. The $χ_c$ over $J/ψ$ ratio and $ψ'$ over $J/ψ$ ratio are also calculated.

8 pages, 19 figures, Proceeding for Hot Quarks 2008