f0(980) production in inelastic pp collisions at 𝑠qrt(s)=5.02 TeV with ALICE

<!--HTML--><p class="MsoPlainText">The measurement of the production of f0(980) in inelastic pp collisions at <span style="font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;,serif;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;;">𝑠</span>√=5.02 TeV is presented. This is the first reported measurement of inclusive f0(980) production at LHC energies. The production is measured at midrapidity, |<span style="font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;,serif;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;;">𝑦</span>|&lt; 0.5, in a wide transverse momentum range, 0&lt; <span style="font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;,serif;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;;">𝑝</span>T&lt; 16 GeV/<span style="font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;,serif;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;;">𝑐</span>, by reconstructing the resonance in the f0(980)→<span style="font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;,serif;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;;">𝜋</span>+<span style="font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;,serif;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;;">𝜋</span>− hadronic decay channel using the ALICE detector. The <span style="font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;,serif;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;;">𝑝</span>T-differential yields are compared to those of pions, protons and <span style="font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;,serif;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;;">𝜙</span> mesons as well as to predictions from the HERWIG 7.2 QCD-inspired Monte Carlo event generator and calculations from a coalescence model that uses the AMPT model as an input. The ratio of the <span style="font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;,serif;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;;">𝑝</span>T-integrated yield of f0(980) relative to pions is compared to measurements in e+e− and pp collisions at lower energies and predictions from statistical hadronisation models and HERWIG 7.2. A mild collision energy dependence of the f0(980) to pion production is observed in pp collisions from SPS to LHC energies. All considered models underpredict the <span style="font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;,serif;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;;">𝑝</span>T-integrated f0(980)/(<span style="font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;,serif;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;;">𝜋</span>++<span style="font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;,serif;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;;">𝜋</span>−) ratio. The prediction from the <span style="font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;,serif;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;;">𝛾</span>s-CSM model assuming a zero total strangeness content of f0(980) is consistent with the data within 1.9<span style="font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;,serif;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Cambria Math&quot;;">𝜎</span> and is the closest to the data. The results provide an essential reference for future measurements of the particle yield and nuclear modification in p−Pb and Pb−Pb collisions, which have been proposed to be instrumental to probe the elusive nature and quark composition of the f0(980) scalar meson.</p><p><strong>Refreshments will be served at 10:30</strong></p>