Dilepton emission and the QCD phase transition in ultrarelativistic nuclear collisions

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Phys. Rev. D; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.34.2746· OSTI ID:7244073

Kajantie, K; Kapusta, J; McLerran, L; Mekjian, A

The emission of dileptons from a matter distribution undergoing longitudinal hydrodynamic expansion as might be produced in ultrarelativistic nuclear collisions is computed. Contributions come from quark-gluon plasma, from pion gas, and from a mixed phase while the matter undergoes a first-order confinement phase transition. This yield is compared with that expected from other sources. It is found that the signals from quark-gluon plasma and pion gas probably exceed such background for sufficiently high initial temperature. The ratio of dilepton rapidity density to the square of the pion rapidity density may provide a measurement of the phase transition temperature. The dilepton mass distribution for various values of transverse energy may provide a measure of vector-meson masses as a function of temperature, and a mass shift due to the restoration of chiral symmetry might be seen.

• Research Organization: Department of Theoretical Physics, University of Helsinki, Siltavuorenpenger 20C, SF-00170 Helsinki 17, Finland
• OSTI ID: 7244073
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. D; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. D; (United States) Vol. 34:9; ISSN PRVDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645204 -- High Energy Physics-- Particle Interactions & Properties-Theoretical-- Strong Interactions & Properties
645400* -- High Energy Physics-- Field Theory
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
CHARGED-PARTICLE REACTIONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
FIELD THEORIES
GENERAL RELATIVITY THEORY
HEAVY ION REACTIONS
INTERACTIONS
LEPTONS
MATTER
MONTE CARLO METHOD
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
PARTICLE IDENTIFICATION
PARTICLE INTERACTIONS
PERTURBATION THEORY
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
QUANTUM CHROMODYNAMICS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
QUARK MATTER
QUARK-GLUON INTERACTIONS
RELATIVITY THEORY