From RHIC to LHC: First Lessons

TL;DR

This paper reviews the initial heavy-ion collision results from the LHC at 2.76 TeV, comparing them with previous RHIC data to highlight differences across energy regimes and the performance of detectors.

Contribution

It provides the first comparative analysis of heavy-ion collision results between LHC and RHIC, emphasizing new insights gained at higher energies.

Findings

LHC achieved high-quality heavy-ion collision data at 2.76 TeV.

Significant differences observed between LHC and RHIC results.

Detectors at LHC demonstrated impressive performance in a low luminosity run.

Abstract

The first heavy-ion run at the LHC with Pb+Pb collisions at roots_NN = 2.76 TeV took place in the fall of 2010. In a short and relatively low luminosity run, the three detectors, ALICE, ATLAS and CMS showcased an impressive performance and produced a wealth of a high quality results. This article compares the new LHC results with those accumulated over the last decade at RHIC, focussing on the quantitative and qualitative differences between the different energy regimes of these two facilities.