Forward and midrapidity charmonium production at RHIC

Understand

$J/\psi$ production at forward and midrapidity at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC) is calculated within a previously constructed rate-equation approach accounting for both direct production and regeneration from $c$ and $\bar c$.

• The results are compared to experimental data.
• The observed stronger suppression at forward rapidity can be qualitatively explained by a smaller statistical regeneration component together with stronger cold nuclear matter induced suppression compared to midrapidity.
• The $\chi_c$ over $J/\psi$ ratio and $\psi'$ over $J/\psi$ ratio are also calculated.