Intensity interferometry of thermal photons from relativistic heavy-ion collisions

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 2005 · Physical Review. C, Nuclear Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.71.034905· OSTI ID:20696013

Srivastava, Dinesh Kumar ^[1]

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1. Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, 1/AF Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata 700 064 (India)

Intensity interferometry of thermal photons having transverse momenta k{sub T}{approx_equal}0.1-2.0 GeV produced in relativistic collision of heavy nuclei is studied. It is seen to provide an accurate information about the temporal and spatial structure of the interacting system. The source dimensions, and their k{sub T} dependence revealed by the photon interferometry, display a richness not seen in pion interferometry. We attribute this to the difference in the source functions, the fact that photons come out from every stage of the collision and from every point in the system, and the fact that the rate of production of photons is different for the quark-gluon plasma, which dominates the early hot stage and the hadronic matter that populates the last phase of the collision dynamics. The usefulness of this procedure is demonstrated by an application to collision of lead nuclei at the CERN SPS. Prediction for the transverse momentum dependence of the sizes for SPS, RHIC, and LHC energies are given.

• OSTI ID: 20696013
• Journal Information: Physical Review. C, Nuclear Physics, Journal Name: Physical Review. C, Nuclear Physics Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 71; ISSN 0556-2813; ISSN PRVCAN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
BROOKHAVEN RHIC
CERN LHC
CERN SPS SYNCHROTRON
GEV RANGE
INTERFEROMETRY
LEAD 208 REACTIONS
LEAD 208 TARGET
PARTICLE PRODUCTION
PHOTONS
PIONS
QUANTUM CHROMODYNAMICS
QUARK MATTER
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
TRANSVERSE MOMENTUM