Parton Distributions at Hadronization from Bulk Dense Matter Produced at RHIC

Understand

We present an analysis of $\Omega$, $\Xi$, $\Lambda$ and $\phi$ spectra from Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV in terms of distributions of effective constituent quarks at hadronization.

• Consistency in quark ratios derived from various hadron spectra provides clear evidence for hadron formation dynamics as suggested by quark coalescence or recombination models.
• We argue that the constituent quark distribution reflects properties of the effective partonic degrees of freedom at hadronization.
• Experimental data indicate that strange quarks have a transverse momentum distribution flatter than that of up/down quarks consistent with hydrodynamic expansion in partonic phase prior to hadronization.