Breaking of multiplicity scaling observed in $K^{*0}/K$ ratio in baryon-rich QCD matter

In this study, we investigated the influence of collision energy and system size on hadronic rescattering by analyzing the production of $K^{*0}$ mesons using the Ultra Relativistic Quantum Molecular Dynamics (UrQMD) model. Analysis are done in Au+Au collisions at various center-of-mass energies ($\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 7.7, 11.5, 19.6, 27, and 200 GeV), as well as in Cu+Cu and isobaric (Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr) collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV at mid-rapidity. Our findings reveal that the ratio of $K^{*0}$ mesons to charged kaons ($K^{*0}/K$) decreases as the collision multiplicity increases. Moreover, at top RHIC energies, this ratio exhibits a smooth multiplicity scaling behavior. However, this scaling can be violated due to the formation of baryon-rich matter at lower beam energies, specifically $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 11.5 GeV or below. These results highlight the importance of considering the interplay between collision energy, system size, and the chemical composition of the produced matter when studying the hadronic rescattering effects in heavy-ion collisions.