Heavy quark(onium) at LHC: the statistical hadronization case

We discuss the production of charmonium in nuclear collisions within the framework of the statistical hadronization model. We demonstrate that the model reproduces very well the availble data at RHIC. We provide predictions for the LHC energy where, dependently on the charm production cross section, a dramatically different behaviour of charmonium production as a function of centrality might be expected. We discuss also the case in elementary collisions, where clearly the statistical model does not reproduce the measurements.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures; proceeding of SQM09, Buzios, Brazil, to be published in J. Phys.

Has the Quark-Gluon Plasma been seen?

Data from the first three years of running at RHIC are reviewed and put into context with data obtained previously at the AGS and SPS and with the physics question of creation of a quark-gluon plasma in high energy heavy ion collisions. Also some very recent and still preliminary data from run4 are included.Comment: plenary paper, Lepton-Photon 2005, Uppsala, Swede

Hadron production in Au-Au collisions at RHIC

We present an analysis of particle production yields measured in central Au-Au collisions at RHIC in the framework of the statistical thermal model. We demonstrate that the model extrapolated from previous analyses at SPS and AGS energy is in good agreement with the available experimental data at $\sqrt s=130$ GeV implying a high degree of chemical equilibration. Performing a $\chi^2$ fit to the data, the range of thermal parameters at chemical freezeout is determined. At present, the best agreement of the model and the data is obtained with the baryon chemical potential $\mu_B\simeq 46\pm 5$ MeV and temperature $T\simeq 174\pm 7$ MeV. More ratios, such as multistrange baryon to meson, would be required to further constrain the chemical freezeout conditions. Extrapolating thermal parameters to higher energy, the predictions of the model for particle production in Au-Au reactions at $\sqrt s=200$ GeV are also given.Comment: Final version, minor changes to text and figures. To appear in Phys. Lett.

Tuning of structure inversion asymmetry by the δ\delta-doping position in (001)-grown GaAs quantum wells

Structure and bulk inversion asymmetry in doped (001)-grown GaAs quantum wells is investigated by applying the magnetic field induced photogalvanic effect. We demonstrate that the structure inversion asymmetry (SIA) can be tailored by variation of the delta-doping layer position. Symmetrically-doped structures exhibit a substantial SIA due to impurity segregation during the growth process. Tuning the SIA by the delta-doping position we grow samples with almost equal degrees of structure and bulk inversion asymmetry.Comment: 4 pages 2 figure

Measurement of the space-time interval between two events using the retarded and advanced times of each event with respect to a time-like world-line

Several recent studies have been devoted to investigating the limitations that ordinary quantum mechanics and/or quantum gravity might impose on the measurability of space-time observables. These analyses are often confined to the simplified context of two-dimensional flat space-time and rely on a simple procedure for the measurement of space-like distances based on the exchange of light signals. We present a generalization of this measurement procedure applicable to all three types of space-time intervals between two events in space-times of any number of dimensions. We also present some preliminary observations on an alternative measurement procedure that can be applied taking into account the gravitational field of the measuring apparatus, and briefly discuss quantum limitations of measurability in this context.Comment: 17 page

Gravitational strings. Do we see one?

I present a class of objects called gravitational strings (GS) for their similarity to the conventional cosmic strings: even though the former are just singularities in flat spacetime, both varieties are equally "realistic", they may play equally important cosmological r\^ole and their lensing properties are akin. I argue that the enigmatic object CSL-1 is an evidence in favor of the existence of GS.Comment: The published version. Minor correction

Lambda(1520) production in d+Au collisions at RHIC

Recent results of $\Lambda$(1520) resonance production in d+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} =$ 200 GeV are presented and discussed in terms of the evolution and freeze-out conditions of a hot and dense fireball medium. Yields and spectra are compared to results from p+p and Au+Au collisions. The $\Lambda$(1520)/$\Lambda$ ratio in d+Au collisions ratio is consistent with the ratio in p+p collisions. This suggests a short time for elastic interactions between chemical and thermal freeze-out. One can conclude that the interaction volume in d+Au collisions is small.Comment: 4 Pages, 3 figures, conference proceedings Quark Matter 200

Vacuum energy: quantum hydrodynamics vs quantum gravity

We compare quantum hydrodynamics and quantum gravity. They share many common features. In particular, both have quadratic divergences, and both lead to the problem of the vacuum energy, which in the quantum gravity transforms to the cosmological constant problem. We show that in quantum liquids the vacuum energy density is not determined by the quantum zero-point energy of the phonon modes. The energy density of the vacuum is much smaller and is determined by the classical macroscopic parameters of the liquid including the radius of the liquid droplet. In the same manner the cosmological constant is not determined by the zero-point energy of quantum fields. It is much smaller and is determined by the classical macroscopic parameters of the Universe dynamics: the Hubble radius, the Newton constant and the energy density of matter. The same may hold for the Higgs mass problem: the quadratically divergent quantum correction to the Higgs potential mass term is also cancelled by the microscopic (trans-Planckian) degrees of freedom due to thermodynamic stability of the whole quantum vacuum.Comment: 14 pages, no figures, added section on the problem of Higgs mass, version accepted for the special issue of JETP Letter

Complex Wave Numbers in the Vicinity of the Schwarzschild Event Horizon

This paper is devoted to investigate the cold plasma wave properties outside the event horizon of the Schwarzschild planar analogue. The dispersion relations are obtained from the corresponding Fourier analyzed equations for non-rotating and rotating, non-magnetized and magnetized backgrounds. These dispersion relations provide complex wave numbers. The wave numbers are shown in graphs to discuss the nature and behavior of waves and the properties of plasma lying in the vicinity of the Schwarzschild event horizon.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication Int. J. Mod. Phys.

Transverse energy per charged particle at relativistic energies from a statistical model with expansion

Transverse energy and charged particle pseudorapidity densities at midrapidity and their ratio, $dE_{T}/d\eta\mid_{mid} / dN_{ch}/d\eta|_{mid}$, are evaluated in a statistical model with longitudinal and transverse flows for the wide range of colliders, from AGS to RHIC at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV. Evaluations are done at freeze-out parameters established independently from fits to observed particle yields and $p_{T}$ spectra. Decays of hadron resonances are treated thoroughly and are included in derivations of $dE_{T}/d\eta|_{mid}$ and $dN_{ch}/d\eta|_{mid}$. The predictions of the model agree well with the experimental data. However, some (explicable) overestimation of the ratio has been observed.Comment: Revtex, 11 pages, 1 figure (included), The revised version with the title changed and new conclusions added, to appear in Eur. Phys. J.