Relativistic Heavy Ion Physics

Collisions of nuclei at relativistic energies give us a tool to study nuclear matter in extreme conditions (temperatures and energy densities). It is expected that in these conditions nuclei can be melted into a  quark-gluon plasma liberating the quark and gluon degrees of freedom, forming a simpler phase of nuclear matter than the usual vacuum in which we live in. This course gives a basic theoretical background needed for understanding of the QGP phase of nuclear matter and the experimental observables that carry the signatures of the transition from hadron gas to QGP. A brief survey of current  experimental results will be presented in lecture. Further individual study by the students will be expected in preparation of the final term paper.

Topics for term papers

Link to Part I

Instructor: Prof.  Julia Velkovska
Office: SC 6424 , Phone: 322-0656,  e-mail: julia.velkovska@vanderbilt.edu

office hours: by appointment