Centrality dependence of high-\(p_{\rm T}\) D meson suppression in Pb-Pb collisions at \(\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}\) = 2.76 TeV

Abstract

The nuclear modification factor, \(R_{\rm AA}\), of the prompt charmed mesons \({\rm D^0}\), \({\rm D^+}\) and \({\rm D^{*+}}\), and their antiparticles, was measured with the ALICE detector in Pb-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy \(\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76\) TeV in two transverse momentum intervals, \(5<p_{\rm T}<8\) GeV/\(c\) and \(8<p_{\rm T}<16\) GeV/\(c\), and in six collision centrality classes. The \(R_{\rm AA}\) shows a maximum suppression of a factor of 5-6 in the 10% most central collisions. The suppression and its centrality dependence are compatible within uncertainties with those of charged pions. A comparison with the \(R_{\rm AA}\) of non-prompt \({\rm J}/\psi\) from B meson decays, measured by the CMS Collaboration, hints at a larger suppression of D mesons in the most central collisions.