Testing Coalescence and Thermal Models with the Production Measurement of Light (Anti-)Nuclei as Function of the Collision System Size with ALICE at the LHC

Abstract

High energy pp, p–Pb, and Pb–Pb collisions at the LHC offer a unique tool to study the production of light (anti-)nuclei. The study of the production yield of (anti-)nuclei in heavy-ion collisions at the LHC energy probes the late stages in the evolution of the hot, dense nuclear matter created in the collision. The same measurements performed in smaller collision systems are crucial to understand how the particle production mechanism evolves going from small to large systems. The latest ALICE results on the production yields of light (anti-)nuclei in pp, p–Pb, and Pb–Pb collisions at energies going from 5.02 to 13 TeV centre-of-mass energies are presented. A critical comparison of the experimental results with the predictions of the statistical (thermal) model and baryon coalescence approach is given to provide insight into the production mechanisms of light anti-nuclei in ultra-relativistic collisions.