System Size and Centrality Dependence of the Electric Charge Correlations in A+A and p+p Collisions at the SPS Energies

The Balance Function analysis method was developed in order to study the long range correlations in pseudo-rapidity of charged particle. The final results on p+p, C+C, Si+Si and centrality selected Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 17.2$ GeV and the preliminary data at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 8.8$ GeV are presented. The width of the Balance Function decreases with increasing system size and centrality of the collisions. This could suggest a delayed hadronization scenario.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of NPDC18, Prague, Czech Republic, 23-28 Aug. 200

Measures of Charge Fluctuations in Nuclear Collisions

The properties of two measures of charge fluctuations D and Delta Phi_q are discussed within several toy models of nuclear collisions. In particular their dependence on mean particle multiplicity, multiplicity fluctuations and net electric charge are studied. It is shown that the measure Delta Phi_q is less sensitive to these trivial biasing effects than the originally proposed measure D. Furthermore the influence of resonance decay kinematics is analysed and it is shown that it is likely to shadow a possible reduction of fluctuations due to QGP creation.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figure

Highlights from PHENIX II: Exploring the QCD medium

Much of the present experimental effort at RHIC is now directed towards understanding the properties of the hot and dense colored medium created in A+A collisions. Recent results from PHENIX on the dynamical evolution of the medium and its response to high momentum probes are presented, and their impact on our overall understanding of heavy-ion collisions is discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures - To appear in the conference proceedings for Quark Matter 2009, March 30 - April 4, Knoxville, Tennessee. Revised versio

Atomic electron motion for Møller polarimetry in a double-arm mode

We analyse an effect of electron Fermi motion at atomic shells on the accuracy of electron beam polarization measurements with a M\"oller polarimeter operating in a double--arm mode. It is demonstrated that the effect can result in either {\it increase} or {\it decrease} of the measured polarization depending on the detector positions. The effect is simulated for the M\"oller polarimeter to be installed at CEBAF Hall A

Omega and AntiOmega production in Pb+Pb and p+p collisions at 30, 40 and 158 AGeV

We report preliminary results on Omega and AntiOmega production in central Pb+Pb collisions at 30, 40 and 158 AGeV and p + p interactions at 158 GeV. The midrapidity AntiOmega/Omega ratio is estimated to be 0.45 +- 0.05 and 0.41 +- 0.18 for central Pb+Pb collisions at 158 and 40 AGeV, respectively. The corresponding value for 158 GeV p+p interactions is 0.67 +- 0.62. For central Pb+Pb collisions at 158 AGeV fully corrected distributions are obtained. The inverse slope parameters of the transverse mass spectrum and total yields are T(Omega) = 276 +- 23 MeV, = 0.47 +- 0.07 and T(AntiOmega) = 285 +- 39 MeV, = 0.15 +- 0.02.Comment: Contribution to the proceedings of "Strangeness in Quark Matter 2003" (March 2003, Atlantic Beach NC, USA), to be published in Journal of Physics G., 6 pages, 6 figure

Xi and AntiXi production in Pb+Pb collisions at 40 AGeV at CERN SPS

First results on the production of Xi and AntiXi hyperons in Pb+Pb interactions at 40 AGeV are presented. The AntiXi/Xi ratio at midrapidity is studied as a function of collision centrality. The ratio shows no significant centrality dependence within statistical errors; it ranges from 0.07 to 0.15. The AntiXi/Xi ratio for central Pb+Pb collisions increases strongly with the collision energy.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, proceedings of SQM03, to be published in Journal of Physics G; V2: changes in table 1 and figure