Probing hadronization with the charge correlator ratio in <i>p</i> + <i>p</i> , <i>Ru</i> + <i>Ru</i> and <i>Zr</i> + <i>Zr</i> collisions at STAR

The parton-to-hadron transition, known as hadronization, is dominated by non-perturbative Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) effects and thus challenging to study from first-principle calculations. On the other hand, experimental studies of observables sensitive to hadronization could provide valuable input. The charge correlator ratio r c studies the charge correlation between the leading two hadrons in jets and is sensitive to hadronization effects. With data taken at √ s NN = 200 GeV at STAR, we measure r c in p + p collisions to probe for string-like fragmentation, and in Ru + Ru and Zr + Zr collisions to probe for potential modification to hadronization in the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP). These measurements, compared with various model predictions, are expected to distinguish between phenomenological model descriptions for hadronization in vacuum, and provide insight into jet-medium interaction in the QGP.