3ΛH and 3Λ¯H‾ production in Pb–Pb collisions at √sNN = 2.76 TeV

The production of the hypertriton nuclei ^3_ΛH and ^3_Λ-H has been measured for the first time in Pb–Pb collisions at √sNN = 2.76 TeV with the ALICE experiment at LHC. The pT-integrated ^3_ΛH yield in one unity of rapidity, dN/dy × B.R.(^3_ΛH → ^3He, π-)= (3.86 ± 0.77(stat.) ± 0.68(syst.)) × 10−5 in the 0–10% most central collisions, is consistent with the predictions from a statistical thermal model using the same temperature as for the light hadrons. The coalescence parameter B3 shows a dependence on the transverse momentum, similar to the B2 of deuterons and the B3 of 3He nuclei. The ratio of yields S3 = ^3_ΛH(3He×Λ/p) was measured to be S3 = 0.60±0.13(stat.)±0.21(syst.) in 0–10% centrality events; this value is compared to different theoretical models. The measured S3 is compatible with thermal model predictions. The measured ^3_ΛH lifetime, τ = 181^+54_−39(stat.) ± 33(syst.) ps is in agreement within 1σ with the world average value.