Measurement of J/psi-jet correlations in pp and Pb+Pb collisions at sqrt{s_(NN)}=5.02 TeV with the ATLAS detector
Pith reviewed 2026-07-01 03:02 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
J/ψ mesons remain suppressed in Pb+Pb collisions up to 60 GeV, with isolated and non-isolated samples showing different nuclear modification factors.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
Yields of J/ψ mesons are strongly suppressed in Pb+Pb relative to pp collisions, with the suppression persisting to the highest measured transverse momenta. The nuclear modification factors differ between non-isolated J/ψ (matched to anti-k_t jets of R=0.2 and p_T>20 GeV), isolated J/ψ, and the inclusive sample. These differences are observed separately for prompt and non-prompt production.
What carries the argument
Matching of J/ψ candidates to anti-k_t jets with radius 0.2 and p_T above 20 GeV, reconstructed without the J/ψ signal, to quantify accompanying jet activity.
If this is right
- Charmonium production mechanisms receive tighter constraints once jet activity is accounted for in both vacuum and medium.
- In-medium suppression models must reproduce separate R_AA trends for isolated versus non-isolated J/ψ up to 60 GeV.
- The non-prompt fraction and isolated fraction can be compared directly between pp and Pb+Pb to test modification of b-hadron fragmentation.
- Future measurements at higher p_T or with larger jet radii can test whether the observed differences persist or converge.
Where Pith is reading between the lines
- The result suggests that a sizable fraction of high-p_T J/ψ is produced inside jets even in heavy-ion collisions, which may affect interpretations that treat all J/ψ as vacuum-like.
- If the jet-matching procedure is robust, it offers a new experimental handle for separating color-singlet and color-octet contributions in the medium.
Load-bearing premise
Matching J/ψ candidates to jets reconstructed without the J/ψ decay products correctly identifies the jet activity that accompanies J/ψ production.
What would settle it
If the measured R_AA values for isolated and non-isolated J/ψ become statistically consistent above 40 GeV after all corrections, the claim of differing suppression by isolation category would not hold.
read the original abstract
Yields of charmonia, bound states of $c\bar{c}$ quarks, are observed to be strongly suppressed in heavy-ion collisions relative to proton-proton collisions as a result of their interaction with the quark-gluon plasma produced in such collisions. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for this suppression requires a detailed understanding of charmonium production. To constrain the production mechanisms, it is essential to quantify how charmonium production correlates with jet activity. Measurements of $J/\psi$ production in the dimuon decay channel are presented for inclusive $J/\psi$ mesons and for $J/\psi$ mesons that are either isolated or not isolated from jets, separately for prompt and non-prompt production. Non-isolated $J/\psi$ mesons are defined by matching $J/\psi$ candidates to anti-$k_t$ jets with $R=0.2$ and $p_\mathrm{T}>20$ GeV, reconstructed without signal from the $J/\psi$ meson, allowing the quantification of jet activity accompanying $J/\psi$ production. The analysis uses Pb+Pb and $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\text{NN}}}=5.02$ TeV recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1.82 nb$^{-1}$ and 0.26 fb$^{-1}$, respectively. The $J/\psi$ yields in Pb+Pb, cross sections in $pp$, and nuclear modification factors are presented for non-isolated, isolated, and inclusive $J/\psi$ up to $p_\mathrm{T}=60$ GeV. Isolated fractions and non-prompt fractions are reported in both $pp$ and Pb+Pb collisions. Strong $J/\psi$ suppression is observed to persist up to the highest measured $p_\mathrm{T}$ values, with differences observed between non-isolated, isolated, and inclusive $J/\psi$. These results provide new constraints on charmonium production mechanisms and their in-medium suppression.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The manuscript measures J/ψ production in the dimuon decay channel in pp and Pb+Pb collisions at √s_NN=5.02 TeV with ATLAS. It reports yields/cross sections and nuclear modification factors R_AA for inclusive, isolated, and non-isolated J/ψ (separated into prompt and non-prompt) up to p_T=60 GeV. Non-isolated J/ψ are defined by matching candidates to anti-k_t jets (R=0.2, p_T>20 GeV) reconstructed without the J/ψ signal. Isolated and non-prompt fractions are also presented, with the central observation being strong suppression persisting to the highest p_T and differences between the three categories.
Significance. If the jet-matching classification is demonstrated to be free of differential bias between collision systems, the results would provide useful new experimental constraints on charmonium production mechanisms and their in-medium suppression by separating jet-associated from isolated production. The direct measurement approach, use of both prompt and non-prompt components, and extension to high p_T add value for comparisons with models of QGP interactions.
major comments (1)
- [Abstract (non-isolated definition)] Abstract (paragraph defining non-isolated J/ψ): The claim of differences in suppression between non-isolated, isolated, and inclusive J/ψ requires that matching to anti-k_t jets (R=0.2, p_T>20 GeV) reconstructed without J/ψ signal produces equivalent classification efficiency in pp and Pb+Pb. The dense underlying event in Pb+Pb can alter cluster energies and jet finding even after muon removal, potentially changing the non-isolated tagging probability relative to pp and directly affecting the reported R_AA differences. The manuscript must include quantitative studies (e.g., embedding or data-driven checks in the jet reconstruction or systematic uncertainty sections) showing this bias is controlled or corrected.
minor comments (1)
- The abstract supplies no information on data selection, efficiency corrections, or systematic uncertainties; while the full text presumably contains these, a short summary sentence would improve readability for the central results.
Simulated Author's Rebuttal
We thank the referee for their careful reading of the manuscript and for the constructive comment on the potential for differential bias in the non-isolated J/ψ classification. We address the point in detail below.
read point-by-point responses
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Referee: [Abstract (non-isolated definition)] Abstract (paragraph defining non-isolated J/ψ): The claim of differences in suppression between non-isolated, isolated, and inclusive J/ψ requires that matching to anti-k_t jets (R=0.2, p_T>20 GeV) reconstructed without J/ψ signal produces equivalent classification efficiency in pp and Pb+Pb. The dense underlying event in Pb+Pb can alter cluster energies and jet finding even after muon removal, potentially changing the non-isolated tagging probability relative to pp and directly affecting the reported R_AA differences. The manuscript must include quantitative studies (e.g., embedding or data-driven checks in the jet reconstruction or systematic uncertainty sections) showing this bias is controlled or corrected.
Authors: We agree that establishing equivalent classification efficiency between the two systems is essential for interpreting the reported differences in R_AA. The analysis removes the muon tracks associated with each J/ψ candidate prior to jet reconstruction precisely to minimize signal-induced bias. Systematic uncertainties already incorporate variations in jet reconstruction parameters (cone size, p_T threshold, and underlying-event subtraction methods) and are evaluated separately in pp and Pb+Pb data. Nevertheless, we recognize that dedicated quantitative checks comparing tagging efficiency across systems would further strengthen the result. We will therefore add embedding studies—simulated J/ψ signals embedded into both real pp and Pb+Pb events—together with the resulting efficiency ratios and associated uncertainties, to the systematic-uncertainty section of the revised manuscript. revision: yes
Circularity Check
No circularity in direct experimental measurement
full rationale
This is a pure experimental measurement paper reporting J/ψ yields, cross sections, and nuclear modification factors R_AA from ATLAS collision data. The analysis defines non-isolated J/ψ via an operational jet-matching procedure (anti-k_t R=0.2, p_T>20 GeV, reconstructed without J/ψ signal) and presents measured quantities directly; no equations or derivations reduce reported results to parameters fitted from the same dataset. No self-citation chains or ansatzes underpin the central claims. The measurement is self-contained against external benchmarks (pp reference, Pb+Pb data) and does not exhibit any of the enumerated circularity patterns.
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
free parameters (2)
- Jet radius R =
0.2
- Minimum jet p_T =
20 GeV
axioms (2)
- domain assumption Dimuon decay channel accurately identifies J/ψ mesons with high purity
- domain assumption Integrated luminosities of 1.82 nb^{-1} (Pb+Pb) and 0.26 fb^{-1} (pp) are correctly determined
Reference graph
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