Dartmouth Events

Abstract: Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) is our fundamental theory of the strong interaction, but calculating and visualizing the many‑body phases of quark-gluon matter remain difficult. Collisions of heavy nuclei at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) create droplets of quark-gluon plasma (QGP) at temperatures above a trillion degrees, where quarks and gluons are deconfined. Measurements of collective flow and long‑range correlations indicate that this plasma behaves as an almost perfect liquid with remarkably low viscosity. 

To go beyond the studies of the debris of the QGP, we can study the passage of color charged particles through this fascinating medium. One studies heavy-ion collisions which produce not only the QGP but also heavy quarks, energetic gluons, and quarks by chance. High energy quarks and gluons lose energy by radiating gluons or by colliding with the other quarks and gluons as they traverse through the QGP, a phenomenon often referred to as “Jet Quenching”. The slow-moving heavy quarks, which interact strongly with the QGP, open a window to study the in-medium color force. In this talk, I will review the most striking observations from recent data collected by the Compact Muon Solenoid detector at the LHC and the properties of the QGP fluid extracted from these measurements. 

Informal discussion with coffee, tea, and snacks to follow

Hosted by Professor Yi-Hsin Liu

Zoom Webinar Link: https://dartmouth.zoom.us/j/91888702369?pwd=aUlaVEFYNGZHNlZWL0R3cEVWQXg4UT09