Bc production at RHIC as a signal for deconfinement

Robert Thews, Martin Schroedter, Jan Rafelski

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Bc meson is the bound state of bc̄ (or b̄c) whose recent detection is the first step toward completion of the spectroscopy of heavy quark mesonic states. The b-c states have properties that conveniently fill the gap between the J/ψ and the γ states. Thus it is probable that at RHIC the Bc mesons will serve as a probe of deconfined matter. We find that significant differences arise for Bc formation in deconfined and confined matter. Our initial calculations suggest that: (a) The rates of normal hadronic production mechanisms at RHIC energies are not sufficient to produce a detectable number of Bc mesons. (b) If a region of deconfined quarks and gluons is formed, the production (and survival) rate can be enhanced by several orders of magnitude. (c) The observation of Bc mesons at RHIC would signal a source of deconfined charmed quarks, and the rate of Bc production will be a measure of the initial density and temperature of that source.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3637-3646
Number of pages10
JournalActa Physica Polonica B
Volume30
Issue number12
StatePublished - 1999
EventProceedings of the 1997 MRS Fall Meeting - Boston, MA, USA
Duration: Nov 30 1997Dec 4 1997

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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