Theoretical Study of Ultra-Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions at RHIC and Isospin Physics with Radioactive Beams

Arkansas State University Main Campus, Jonesboro AR

Investigators

Abstract

0088934 LI Research in two areas of nuclear theory will be carried out to study properties of nuclear matter at extremely high temperatures, densities and neutron to proton ratios. The first area concerns the study of a new form of strongly interacting matter, the Quark-Gluon-Plasma (QGP). Knowledge about this matter is crucial for our understanding about the evolution of the early universe and the mechanism of supernova explosions. Collisions between two heavy nuclei at ultra-relativistic energies are predicted to produce in the laboratory the QGP. Dedicated experiments searching for evidence of the QGP formation will soon be carried out at the Brookhaven National Laboratory's Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC). I shall further develop a multi-phase transport model for ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions. The model will be useful for interpreting experimental data from RHIC, testing signatures of the QGP formation, and extracting properties of the QGP. The second area of my research concerns the study of neutron-rich matter by using nuclear reactions induced by radioactive beams having large neutron to proton ratios. I shall investigate several novel properties of the neutron-rich matter. In particular, the isospin-dependence of the nuclear equation of state (IEOS). Knowledge about the IEOS is relevant to type II supernova explosions, to neutron star mergers, to the cooling rate of protoneutron stars, and to the stability of neutron stars. Results of my research in this area can also be tested at several available radioactive beam facilities and the proposed Rare Isotope Accelerator (RIA).