Hard scattering at RHIC: Experimental review
Abstract
Description
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.
Minor mods. to match final version published in the Yellow Report
Minor mods. to match final version published in the Yellow Report