Complete strangeness measurements in heavy-ion collisions

Abstract

We discuss strangeness production in heavy-ion collisions within and around the energy range of the planned NICA facility. We describe the minimal statistical model, in which the total strangeness yield is fixed by the observed or calculated $K^+$ multiplicity. We show how the exact strangeness conservation can be taken into account on the event-by-event basis in such a model. We argue that from strange particle yields one can reveal information about the collision dynamics and about possible modifications of particle properties in medium. This can be best achieved if the complete strangeness measurement is performed, i.e. kaons, anti-kaons, hyperons and multistrange hyperons are registered in the same experimental setup. In particular the production of hadrons containing two and more strange quarks, like $\Xi$ and $\Omega$ baryons could be of interest.