The $p_T$-differential production cross sections of the prompt charmed mesons $D^0$, $D^{+}$, $D^{*+}$, and $D_s^{+}$ and their charge conjugate in the rapidity interval $-0.96<y_{\text{cms}}<0.04$ were measured in $p\text{−}\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions at a center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=5.02\mathrm{TeV}$ with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The nuclear modification factor $R_{p\mathrm{Pb}}$, quantifying the $D$-meson yield in $p\text{−}\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions relative to the yield in $pp$ collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions, is compatible within the 15%–20% uncertainties with unity in the transverse momentum interval $1<p_T<24\mathrm{GeV}/c$. No significant difference among the $R_{p\mathrm{Pb}}$ of the four $D$-meson species is observed. The results are described within uncertainties by theoretical calculations that include initial-state effects. The measurement adds experimental evidence that the modification of the momentum spectrum of $D$ mesons observed in Pb-Pb collisions with respect to $pp$ collisions is due to strong final-state effects induced by hot partonic matter.

• Received 14 May 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.232301

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© 2014 CERN, for the ALICE Collaboration