Transverse momentum distribution and nuclear modification factor of charged particles in p + Pb collisions at √ s NN = 5.02 TeV

The transverse momentum (p T ) distribution of primary charged particles is measured in minimum bias (non-single-diffractive) p + Pb collisions at √ s NN = 5.02  TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The p T spectra measured near central rapidity in the range 0.5 T pPb is consistent with unity for p T above 2  GeV/c. This measurement indicates that the strong suppression of hadron production at high p T observed in Pb + Pb collisions at the LHC is not due to an initial-state effect. The measurement is compared to theoretical calculations.