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Scanning the quark-gluon plasma with charmonium
B Z Kopeliovich1, A Polleri, J Hüfner
1Max Planck Institut für Kernphysik, Postfach 103980, D-69029 Heidelberg, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|September 5, 2001
Summary
We propose studying charmonium production in heavy ion collisions to probe quark-gluon plasma properties. Final state interactions create a minimum at x(F)=0, indicating plasma formation and offering a new sensitive probe.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Physics
- High-Energy Physics
- Particle Physics
Background:
- Heavy ion collisions create a hot, dense medium.
- Charmonium production is sensitive to medium properties.
- Understanding the created matter is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate charmonium production as a probe for quark-gluon plasma.
- To analyze the dependence of charmonium production on Feynman x(F).
- To explore final state interactions in heavy ion collisions.
Main Methods:
- Analyzing charmonium production rates in heavy ion collisions.
- Examining the variation with Feynman x(F).
- Comparing predictions at SPS and RHIC energies.
Main Results:
- A minimum in charmonium production at x(F)=0 is predicted.
- This minimum is deeper and narrower if quark-gluon plasma is formed.
- The effect is energy-dependent and influenced by shadowing.
Conclusions:
- Charmonium production rate variation with x(F) is a novel probe for created matter.
- Final state interactions significantly impact charmonium production.
- This probe is complementary to transverse energy dependence and sensitive to final state interactions.