Physics – Nuclear Physics – Nuclear Experiment
Scientific paper
2006-07-28
J.Phys.G32:S447-S454,2006
Physics
Nuclear Physics
Nuclear Experiment
8 pages, 2 figures, Conference Proceeding from Strangeness in Quark Matter 2006, accepted for publication in J. Phys. G; Added
Scientific paper
10.1088/0954-3899/32/12/S54
Recent experimental and theoretical developments have motivated interest in a more detailed exploration of heavy ion collisions in the range sqrt(sNN)=5-15 GeV. In contrast to interactions at the full RHIC energy of sqrt(sNN)=200 GeV, such collisions result in systems characterized by much higher baryon chemical potential, muB. Extensions of lattice QCD calculations to non-zero values of muB suggest that a critical point may exist in this region of the QCD phase diagram. Discovery of the critical point or, equivalently, determining the location where the phase transition from partonic to hadronic matter switches from a smooth crossover to 1st order would establish a major landmark in the phase diagram. Initial studies of Pb+Pb collisions in this energy range have revealed several unexpected features in the data. In response to these results, it has been suggested that the existing RHIC accelerator and experiments can be used to further the investigation of this important physics topic. This proceeding briefly summarizes the theoretical and experimental situation with particular emphasis on the conclusions from a RIKEN BNL workshop held in March of 2006.
No associations
LandOfFree
critRHIC: The RHIC Low Energy Program 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 critRHIC: The RHIC Low Energy Program, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and critRHIC: The RHIC Low Energy Program will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-250820