Feeddown contributions from unstable nuclei in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

Understand

We estimate the feeddown contributions from decays of unstable $A = 4$ and $A = 5$ nuclei to the final yields of protons, deuterons, tritons, $^3$He, and $^4$He produced in relativistic heavy-ion collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} > 2.4$ GeV, using the statistical model.

• The feeddown contribution effects do not exceed 5% at LHC and top RHIC energies due to the large penalty factors involved, but are substantial at intermediate collision energies.
• We observe large feeddown contributions for tritons, $^3$He, and $^4$He at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} \lesssim 10$ GeV, where they may account for as much as 70% of the final yield at the lower end of the collision energies considered.
• Sizable ($>10$%) effects for deuteron yields are observed at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} \lesssim 4$ GeV.