Photon and neutral meson measurements with the ALICE experiment at the LHC

摘要

The measurements of photons and neutral mesons, such as π~0 and η, allow to explore the QCD matter created in heavy-ions collisions. In pp collisions, observables such as differential particle production cross sections can be used to test perturbative QCD calculations and constrain PDFs. In Pb-Pb collisions, neutral meson spectra address the medium induced suppression, whereas low transverse momentum direct photons allow to obtain information on the QCD medium temperature or anisotropic flow. We present an overview of photon and neutral meson measurements, employing three different methods which use both ALICE calorimeters, as well as the central tracking system via the photon conversion method. These experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions.