Neutral meson production in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at LHC

The ALICE detector at the LHC studies $\pi^0$ and $\eta$ meson production by two complementary methods, using electromagnetic calorimeters and the central tracking system for converted photons. Production spectra of $\pi^0$ and $\eta$ mesons were measured with ALICE in pp collisions at LHC energies at mid-rapidity in a wide transverse momentum range. The spectrum and the nuclear modification factor $R_{AA}$ of $\pi^0$ measured in Pb-Pb collisions at different centralities, show a clear pattern of strong suppression in a hot QCD medium with respect to pp collisions.