Experiments at the CERN SPS: first signals of deconfinement

TL;DR

This paper reports on CERN SPS heavy-ion experiments from the 1980s to 2000, providing evidence for quark-gluon plasma formation and exploring its energy threshold using advanced detectors and a range of ion energies.

Contribution

It presents the first signals of deconfinement at CERN SPS and details the experimental approach and findings that support QGP formation.

Findings

Evidence for quark-gluon plasma at CERN SPS

Energy dependence of QGP signals

Identification of QGP formation threshold

Abstract

Heavy-ion experiments at the CERN SPS began in the mid-1980s to study nuclear matter at extreme temperatures and densities. The program started with light ions, such as oxygen and sulphur, at energies of 60A GeV and 200A GeV, later advancing to lead ions at 158A GeV. A series of experiments, employing novel detector technologies, explored various signatures of quark-gluon plasma (QGP) formation. In February 2000, these results led CERN to announce evidence for the QGP formation. Subsequently, an energy scan was conducted with lead ions from 20A GeV to 158A GeV, to locate the threshold of QGP creation.