Non-equilibrium Phase Transitions in Ultrarelativistic Nuclear Collisions

TL;DR

This paper explores the possibility that the hadronisation process in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions involves disintegration into fragments, proposing observable signals for this non-equilibrium phase transition.

Contribution

It introduces a novel hypothesis linking hadronisation to fragmentation during non-equilibrium phase transitions in nuclear matter.

Findings

Proposes observable signals of fragmentation during hadronisation

Suggests a connection between disintegration and phase transition signals

Highlights the role of non-equilibrium dynamics in nuclear matter

Abstract

Highly excited nuclear matter created in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions possibly reaches the phase of quark deconfinement. It quickly cools down and hadronises. We explain that the process of hadronisation may likely be connected with disintegration into fragments. Observable signals of such a scenario are proposed.