A simple model for transverse energy distribution in heavy ion collisions

A simple geometrical model (often quoted in literature as the Glauber model) of heavy ion collisions is recapitulated. It is shown that the transverse energy distribution of heavy ion collisions follow the geometry of the collision. An extension of the model to include rapidity and transverse mass particle spectra is discussed.Comment: 7 page

Quark Matter 99 Summary: Hadronic Signals

I review the new data presented at QM99. The main emphasis is placed on the CERN SPS hadron production systematics concluding that the boundary between a partonic and a hadronic phase has now been located at $T=180 \pm10\:MeV$ and $\epsilon \approx 1 \:GeV$ per $fm^3$.Comment: 18 page

Clocking hadronization in relativistic heavy ion collisions with balance functions

A novel state of matter has been hypothesized to exist during the early stage of relativistic heavy ion collisions, with normal hadrons not appearing until several fm/c after the start of the reaction. To test this hypothesis, correlations between charges and their associated anticharges are evaluated with the use of balance functions. It is shown that late-stage hadronization is characterized by tightly correlated charge/anticharge pairs when measured as a function of relative rapidity.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Recent developments on the ALICE central Trigger processor

The ALI CE Central Trigger Processor has been constructed and tested, and will shortly be installed in the experimental area. In this review, we introduce the new developments in hardware and software, present a measurement of the minimum propagation time, and illustrate various trigger applications

Strangeness enhancements at central rapidity in 40 A GeV/c Pb-Pb collisions

Results are presented on neutral kaon, hyperon and antihyperon production in Pb-Pb and p-Be interactions at 40 GeV/c per nucleon. The enhancement pattern follows the same hierarchy as seen in the higher energy data - the enhancement increases with the strangeness content of the hyperons and with the centrality of collision. The centrality dependence of the Pb-Pb yields and enhancements is steeper at 40 than at 158 A GeV/c. The energy dependence of strangeness enhancements at mid-rapidity is discussed.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures and 3 tables. Presented at International Conference on Strangeness in Quark Matter (SQM2009), Buzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 27 Sept - 2 Oct 2009. Submitted to J.Phys.G: Nucl.Part.Phys, one reference adde

The ALICE trigger electronics

The ALICE trigger system (TRG) consists of a Central Trigger Processor (CTP) and up to 24 Local Trigger Units (LTU) for each sub-detector. The CTP receives and processes trigger signals from trigger detectors and the outputs from the CTP are 3 levels of hardware triggers: L0, L1 and L2. The 24 sub-detectors are dynamically partitioned in up to 6 independent clusters. The trigger information is propagated through the LTUs to the Front-end electronics (FEE) of each sub-detector via LVDS cables and optical fibres. The trigger information sent from LTU to FEE can be monitored online for possible errors using the newly developed TTCit board. After testing and commissioning of the trigger system itself on the surface, the ALICE trigger electronics has been installed and tested in the experimental cavern with appropriate ALICE experimental software. Testing the Alice trigger system with detectors on the surface and in the experimental cavern in parallel is progressing very well. Currently one setup is used for testing on the surface; another is installed in experimental cavern. This paper describes the current status of ALICE trigger electronics, online error trigger monitoring and appropriate software for this electronics

Rapidity distributions around mid-rapidity of strange particles in Pb-Pb collisions at 158 AA GeV/c

The production at central rapidity of K0s, Lambda, Xi and Omega particles in Pb-Pb collisions at 158 A GeV/c has been measured by the NA57 experiment over a centrality range corresponding to the most central 53% of the inelastic Pb-Pb cross section. In this paper we present the rapidity distribution of each particle in the central rapidity unit as a function of the event centrality. The distributions are analyzed based on hydrodynamical models of the collisions.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figure

QGP Theory: Status and Perspectives

The current status of Quark-Gluon-Plasma Theory is reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on QGP signatures, the interpretation of current data and what to expect from RHIC in the near future.Comment: 20 pages, invited overview talk at the 4th International Conference on the Physcis and Astrophysics of the Quark-Gluon-Plasma, November 2001, Jaipur, India, to appear in Praman

Strange particle production in 158 and 40 AA GeV/cc Pb-Pb and p-Be collisions

Results on strange particle production in Pb-Pb collisions at 158 and 40 $A$ GeV/$c$ beam momentum from the NA57 experiment at CERN SPS are presented. Particle yields and ratios are compared with those measured at RHIC. Strangeness enhancements with respect to p-Be reactions at the same beam momenta have been also measured: results about their dependence on centrality and collision energy are reported and discussed.Comment: Contribution to the proceedings of the "Hot Quarks 2004" Conference, July 18-24 2004, New Mexico, USA, submitted to Journal of Physics G 7 pages, 5 figure

Strangeness Content in the Nucleon

I review recent studies of strangeness content in the nucleon pertaining to the flavor-singlet $g_A^0$, the $\bar{s}s$ matrix element and the strangeness electric and magnetic form factors $G_E^s(q^2)$ and $G_M^s(q^2)$, based on lattice QCD calculations. I shall also discuss the relevance of incorporating the strangeness content in nuclei in regard to strange baryon-antibaryon productions from proton-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions at SPS and RHIC energies.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, Invited talk at V Int. Conf. on Strangeness in Quark Matter, Berkeley, CA, July 20--25, 200