Physics – Nuclear Physics – Nuclear Theory
Scientific paper
2002-11-30
Nucl.Phys.A721:30-39,2003
Physics
Nuclear Physics
Nuclear Theory
10 pages, including 3 postscript figures. Plenary overview talk presented at PANIC02, Sep. 30 - Oct. 4, 2002, Osaka, Japan. To
Scientific paper
10.1016/S0375-9474(03)01014-5
I present a theory-guided review of RHIC data, arguing that they provide strong evidence for formation of a thermalized quark-gluon plasma at RHIC. Strong radial flow reflects high thermal pressure in the reaction zone. Large elliptic flow proves that the pressure builds up quickly and the system thermalizes on a very short time scale of less than 1 fm/c. The observed hadron yields are consistent with statistical hadron formation from a quark-gluon plasma, followed by immediate chemical decoupling due to strong radial expansion. The observed suppression of jets appears to confirm the predicted large energy loss suffered by hard partons moving through a quark-gluon plasma; more work is required to quantitatively understand this effect. Source size measurements using two-particle correlations do not seem to fit into this picture; the origin of this discrepancy (``HBT puzzle'') is presently not understood.
No associations
LandOfFree
The quark-gluon plasma at RHIC does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The quark-gluon plasma at RHIC, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The quark-gluon plasma at RHIC will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-491010