Hard scattering at RHIC: Experimental review
Abstract
The most significant results on hard scattering processes in Au+Au, p+p, and d+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV obtained after 3 years of operation at the BNL Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC) are summarized. Hadron production at high transverse momentum (p_T) in central Au+Au collisions shows very different properties (production yields, flavor composition, azimuthal correlations, ...) in comparison to p+p, d+Au, and peripheral Au+Au collisions, and this fact constitutes arguably the most interesting outcome of the experimental program so far. Four main topics are covered in this report: (i) the depletion of high p_T inclusive hadron spectra, (ii) the ``anomalous'' baryon-meson composition at intermediate p_T's, (iii) the disappearance of away-side azimuthal (jet) correlations, and (iv) the large value of collective azimuthal (elliptic flow) correlations. Additionally, the observed high p_T ``Cronin enhancement'' in d+Au collisions will be discussed. A succinct comparison of experimental data to theoretical models is also provided.
Cite
@article{arxiv.nucl-ex/0309015,
title = {Hard scattering at RHIC: Experimental review},
author = {David d'Enterria},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:nucl-ex/0309015},
year = {2007}
}
Comments
Minor mods. to match final version published in the Yellow Report