Testing the presence of QGP in small systems using (multi-)strange hadron correlations with a ϕ meson

The study delves into the enhanced production of strange and multi-strange hadrons in proton-proton collisions at LHC. Novel observables are proposed to distinguish between models describing existing data with or without the assumption of a QGP. Two models are explored: EPOS4, based on core-corona separation between a QGP phase and a vacuum phase, and PYTHIA 8.3, based on microscopic interactions between Lund strings. The observables are based on an event selection requiring the presence of a ϕ meson. Correlations between the ϕ and (multi-)strange hadrons are shown to be an excellent discriminator between the two types of models. These observations emphasize the need for further testing in upcoming LHC Runs, leveraging improved detectors and increased data collection.