Multiplicity and rapidity dependence of K^∗ (892)⁰ and ϕ(1020) production in p–Pb collisions at √s_NN = 5.02 TeV

The transverse-momentum (p_T) spectra of K^∗(892)⁰ and ϕ(1020) measured with the ALICE detector up to p_T = 16 GeV/c in the rapidity range −1.2<y<0.3, in p–Pb collisions at the center-of-mass energy per nucleon–nucleon collision √s_NN = 5.02 TeV are presented as a function of charged particle multiplicity and rapidity. The measured p_T distributions show a dependence on both multiplicity and rapidity at low p_T whereas no significant dependence is observed at high p_T. A rapidity dependence is observed in the p_T -integrated yield (dN/dy), whereas the mean transverse momentum (⟨p_T⟩) shows a flat behavior as a function of rapidity. The rapidity asymmetry (Y_asym ) at low p_T (< 5 GeV/c) is more significant for higher multiplicity classes. At high p_T, no significant rapidity asymmetry is observed in any of the multiplicity classes. Both K^∗(892)⁰ and ϕ(1020) show similar Y_asym . The nuclear modification factor (QCP) as a function of p_T shows a Cronin-like enhancement at intermediate p_T , which is more prominent at higher rapidities (Pb-going direction) and in higher multiplicity classes. At high p_T (> 5 GeV/c ), the QCP values are greater than unity and no significant rapidity dependence is observed.