Condensation of a Strongly Interacting Parton Plasma into a Hadron Gas in High Energy Nuclear Collisions

TL;DR

This paper investigates how color screening affects the transition from a strongly interacting parton plasma to a hadron gas in high energy nuclear collisions, highlighting delays and disruptions in hadronization at RHIC energies.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the impact of color screening on hadronization dynamics and parton-hadron conversion in high energy nuclear collisions.

Findings

Color screening significantly delays hadronization.

Parton-hadron conversion is prolonged compared to vacuum.

Hadron densities are reduced due to expansion.

Abstract

We examine the effects of color screening on the transition of a parton plasma into a hadron gas at RHIC energies. It is found that as expected, color screening posed itself as a significant barrier for hadronization. Parton-hadron conversion would therefore be delayed and prolonged when compared to that occuring in a vacuum. Due to the on-going expansion, the resulting hadron densities are lowered. Parton equilibration is also shown to be seriously disrupted in the process.