Multiplicity dependence of charged pion, kaon, and (anti)proton production at large transverse momentum in p–Pb collisions at sNN=5.02 TeV

The production of charged pions, kaons and (anti)protons has been measured at mid-rapidity (-0.5 < y < 0) in p-Pb collisions at root s(NN) = 5.02 TeV using the ALICE detector at the LHC. Exploiting particle identification capabilities at high transverse momentum (p(T)), the previously published p(T) spectra have been extended to include measurements up to 20 GeV/c for seven event multiplicity classes. The p(T) spectra for pp collisions at = 7 TeV, needed to interpolate a pp reference spectrum, have also been extended up to 20 GeV/c to measure the nuclear modification factor (R-ppb) in non-single diffractive p-Pb collisions. At intermediate transverse momentum (2 < p(T) < 10 GeV/c) the proton-to-pion ratio increases with multiplicity in p-Pb collisions, a similar effect is not present in the kaon-to-pion ratio. The p(T) dependent structure of such increase is qualitatively similar to those observed in pp and heavy-ion collisions. At high p(T) (>10 GeV/c), the particle ratios are consistent with those reported for pp and Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC energies. At intermediate p(T) the (anti)proton R-ppb shows a Cronin-like enhancement, while pions and kaons show little or no nuclear modification. At high p(T) the charged pion, kaon and (anti)proton R-ppb are consistent with unity within statistical and systematic uncertainties. (C) 2016 The Author. Published by Elsevier B.V.