Relativistic Heavy Ion Physics in the New Millennium

Abstract

The field of relativistic heavy ion physics has seen significant advancement in the new millennium toward a greater understanding of QCD at high temperatures with the commissioning and operation of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Here we review progress in the field as presented in a set of lectures at the Lake Louise Winter Institute on Fundamental Interactions in February 2004.Comment: 30 pages, 17 figures, Lake Louise Winter Institute on Fundamental Interactions 2004 conference proceeding