Transverse momentum dependence of anomalous J/ψ suppression in Pb–Pb collisions

The recently published data for 〈p2t〉 for J/ψ production in Pb–Pb collisions at 158 A GeV are analyzed. For low values of transverse energy Et, where normal suppression dominates, 〈p2t〉(Et) scales with the path length of the gluons which fuse to make the J/ψ. In the Et domain of anomalous suppression 〈p2t〉(Et) is found to rise linearly with the relative amount of anomalous suppression. This empirical law is reproduced within an analytically solvable transport model which allows high pt J/ψʹs to escape anomalous suppression. Interpreted in this way, the data for 〈p2t〉(Et) lead to an estimate of tA∼4 fm/c for the duration of anomalous suppression.