Transverse Momentum Distribution and Nuclear Modification Factor of Charged Particles in p-Pb Collisions at \(\sqrt{s_{NN}}\) = 5.02 TeV

Abstract

The transverse momentum \(p_T\) distribution of primary charged particles is measured in non single-diffractive p-Pb collisions at \(\sqrt{s_{NN}}\) = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The \(p_T\) spectra measured near central rapidity in the range 0.5 < \(p_T\) < 20 GeV/c exhibit a weak pseudorapidity dependence. The nuclear modification factor \(R_{pPb}\) is consistent with unity for \(p_T\) above 2 GeV/c. This measurement indicates that the strong suppression of hadron production at high \(p_T\) observed in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC is not due to an initial-state effect. The measurement is compared to theoretical calculations.