Physics
Scientific paper
Jan 2005
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005jphcs..27.....r&link_type=abstract
Journal of Physics: Conference Series, Volume 27, Issue 1, pp. (2005).
Physics
Scientific paper
Study of correlations and fluctuations in relativistic nuclear collisions addresses fundamental aspects of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and the properties of strongly-interacting matter at extreme density and temperature. Correlations and fluctuations reveal the nature of QCD, first through the structure of elementary collisions and then through the properties and dynamics of the colored medium produced in heavy ion (HI) collisions. Five years after first RHIC data we are experiencing a paradigm shift: from two-state indicators that the QCD phase boundary has been traversed to quantitative study of the structure of the QCD medium in the temperature interval Tc 3Tc above the boundary. The expected role of correlations and fluctuations has changed, and has increased in importance relative to single-particle measures.
In this workshop we have reviewed correlation and fluctuation measurements in the context of our current theoretical understanding of nuclear collisions and have explored the connections among different measurement approaches. Three themes have emerged, in descending order of correlated-particle transverse momentum pt: high-pt 'triggered' jet correlations and recombination (most interesting at intermediate pt but based on perturbative QCD concepts), fluctuations and correlations which focus on structure at lower pt but are nevertheless dominated by (low-Q2) parton fragment correlations, and critical fluctuations and equilibration which emphasize the long-time and large-scale behavior of the bulk QCD medium.
Correlation measurements reveal that RHIC collisions are complex; local structure appears to be dominated by low-Q2 parton fragmentation. High-pt correlations probe the QCD medium at larger scales and shorter times. Provocative phenomena appear at SPS energies where quieter circumstances offer the possibility to observe significant critical fluctuations. New techniques provide unification of high-pt jet correlations with lower-pt fluctuation measurements, revealing a deeper picture of parton fragmentation over a broad range of Q2 down to the 'saturation' scale. Recombination theory, emphasizing intermediate-pt hadronization, is providing the first theoretical attempts to describe two-particle correlations from parton fragmentation.
In this workshop we have begun to establish a common conceptual framework permitting the closest possible connection between experimental correlation observables and the physics of the nuclear collision process. We wish to span the entire conceptual interval between perturbative QCD and the statistical model through study of correlations and fluctuations, to understand nonperturbative hadronization and its effect on the transfer of information from the structured prehadronic medium to the hadronic final state. Guidance comes from recent astrophysical measurements in which correlation studies of the contemporary cosmic microwave background reveal the dynamics of the early universe.
We are thankful for generous financial support from Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. We especially thank Timothy Hallman of BNL for suggesting and encouraging this workshop. The organizers warmly thank the local MIT students and Anna Maria Convertino for making this workshop a very positive experience for all in attendance.
Roland Gunther
Trainor Tom
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