Narrow Results

In this work we propose a simple model for the total proton-air cross section, which is an improvement of the minijet model with the inclusion of a window in the p_T-spectrum associated to the saturation physics. Our approach introduces a natural cutoff for the perturbative calculations which modifies the energy behavior of this component. The saturated component is calculated with a dipole model. The results are compared with experimental cross sections measured in cosmic ray experiments.

A two-component analysis of spectra to p_t = 12 GeV/c for identified pions and protons from 200 GeV Au–Au collisions is presented. The method is similar to an analysis of the n_ch dependence of p_t spectra from p–p collisions at 200 GeV, but applied to Au–Au centrality dependence. The soft-component reference is a Lévy distribution on transverse mass m_t. The hard-component reference is a Gaussian on transverse rapidity y_t with exponential (p_t power-law) tail. Deviations of data from the reference are described by hard-component ratio r_AA, which generalizes nuclear modification factor R_AA. The analysis suggests that centrality evolution of pion and proton spectra is dominated by changes in parton fragmentation. The structure of r_AA suggests that parton energy loss produces a negative boost Δy_t of a large fraction (but not all) of the minimum-bias fragment distribution, and that lower-energy partons suffer relatively less energy loss, possibly due to color screening. The analysis also suggests that the anomalous p/π ratio may be due to differences in the parton energy-loss process experienced by the two hadron species. This analysis provides no evidence for radial flow.

In this brief review of the observable effects of minijets in heavy-ion collisions, the main points emphasized are that the quadruple moment v₂(p_T, b) and the hadronic (π and p) spectra at low p_T can both be reproduced by minijet contributions to the recombination of thermal and shower partons. Without using hydrodynamics the minijet approach does not trace the evolution of the expanding system. The thermal distribution of the medium partons at the time of hadronization is assumed, but rapid thermalization initially is not required so as to allow minijets to leave their footprints on the system in the final state. Azimuthal anisotropy due to minijets is directly calculated in the momentum space without any fluid assumption relating the spatial eccentricity to v₂. There are no more parameters used and compared to the hydro approach in fitting the data on v₂ and p_T spectra. Thus both approaches satisfy the sufficiency condition for a viable description of the dynamical process involved.

The relativistic heavy-ion collider (RHIC) was constructed to achieve an asymptotic state of nuclear matter in heavy-ion collisions, a near-ideal gas of deconfined quarks and gluons denoted quark–gluon plasma or QGP. RHIC collisions are indeed very different from the hadronic processes observed at the Bevalac and AGS, but high-energy elementary-collision mechanisms are also non-hadronic. The two-component model (TCM) combines measured properties of elementary collisions with the Glauber eikonal model to provide an alternative asymptotic limit for A–A collisions. RHIC data have been interpreted to indicate formation of a strongly-coupled QGP (sQGP) or "perfect liquid". In this review, I consider the experimental evidence that seems to support such conclusions and alternative evidence that may conflict with those conclusions and suggest different interpretations.

An overview of beam-related backgrounds at the International Linear Collider and the Compact Linear Collider is presented. Two sources of background are discussed: the beam delivery system and the interaction point. Abundances of background muons, neutrons, beamstrahlung photons and soft e⁺e⁻ pars are quoted for different sub-detectors and both background sources. A difference in the background environment between the two collider options is described. The impact of the background particles on the event reconstruction is sketched. Available tools for rejection of background signals in subdetectors are listed.