The early thermalization and HBT puzzles at RHIC

TL;DR

This paper reviews the early thermalization and HBT puzzles in RHIC heavy-ion collisions, highlighting recent hydrodynamic studies and analyzing elliptic flow as an indicator of early thermalization.

Contribution

It provides a critical review of recent hydrodynamic results addressing the thermalization and HBT puzzles at RHIC, emphasizing the role of elliptic flow.

Findings

Hydrodynamic calculations offer insights into early thermalization.

Elliptic flow is a key signature of early thermalization.

Recent results help resolve the HBT puzzle.

Abstract

The early thermalization and HBT puzzles in relativistic heavy-ion collisions studied at RHIC are shortly reviewed. The results of recent hydrodynamic calculations that shed light on these two intriguing issues are presented. In particular, the role of the elliptic flow as a signature of early thermalization is critically examined.