Detection of η mesons in heavy-ion collisions at 100 MeV/nucleon

Abstract A study of the detection of η mesons in heavy-ion collisions at 100 MeV/nucleon by a large array of BaF 2 modules has been carried out using full GEANT3 simulations. The most probable decay modes of the η mesons have been considered. Invariant mass spectra from the detection of two or more electromagnetic showers are discussed. The different sources of contamination are evaluated. The detection limits in terms of production cross section are discussed. An analysis of experimental data taken at 95 MeV/nucleon with the MEDEA array showed a few events which are compatible with the η → γγ decay.