Source breakup dynamics in Au+Au collisions at root s(NN)=200 GeV via three-dimensional two-pion source imaging

Abstract

<p>A three-dimensional correlation function obtained from midrapidity, low p(T), pion pairs in central Au+Au collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV is studied. The extracted model-independent source function indicates a long range tail in the directions of the pion pair transverse momentum (out) and the beam (long). A proper breakup time tau(0) similar to 9 fm/c and a mean proper emission duration Delta tau similar to 2 fm/c, leading to sizable emission time differences ( approximate to 12 fm/c), are required to allow models to be successfully matched to these tails. The model comparisons also suggest an outside-in "burning" of the emission source reminiscent of many hydrodynamical models.</p>