Neutral meson production in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at LHC

The ALICE detector at the LHC studies π0 and η meson production by two complementary methods, using electromagnetic calorimeters and the central tracking system for converted photons. Production spectra of π0 and η mesons were measured with ALICE in pp collisions at LHC energies at mid-rapidity in a wide transverse momentum range. The spectrum and the nuclear modification factor RAA of π0 measured in Pb-Pb collisions at different centralities, show a clear pattern of strong suppression in a hot QCD medium with respect to pp collisions.