Measurements of Hard-Scattering by PHENIX at RHIC

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent measurements of hard-scattering processes in proton-proton and gold-gold collisions at RHIC, highlighting the development of techniques and discoveries that underpin current high-energy nuclear physics research.

Contribution

It presents new measurements of hard-scattering at RHIC and discusses the evolution of experimental techniques since the initial discovery at CERN-ISR.

Findings

Confirmation of hard-scattering in p-p and Au+Au collisions

Development of measurement techniques at RHIC

Insights into the nature of high-energy hadronic interactions

Abstract

Hard-scattering in p-p collisions was discovered in 1972 at the CERN-ISR, the first hadron collider. Techniques were developed and several hard-processes were discovered which form the basis for many of the measurements made in p-p and Au+Au collisions at RHIC. Recent measurements of hard-scattering and related reactions by the PHENIX experiment at RHIC are presented in this context.