Abstract

High energy collisions of heavy nuclei at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider permit the study of nuclear matter at extreme densities and temperatures. Selected experimental highlights from the early RHIC program are presented. Measurements of the total multiplicity in heavy-ion collisions show a surprising similarity to measurements in e+e- collisions after nuclear geometry is taken into account. RHIC has sufficient center-of-mass energy to use large transverse momentum particles and jets as a probe of the nuclear medium. Signatures of jet quenching due to radiative gluon energy loss of fast partons in a dense medium are observed for the first time at RHIC. In order to account for this energy loss, initial energy densities of 30-100 times normal nuclear matter density are required.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.