https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s2005-02331-9
Theoretical Physics
In-medium effects on electromagnetic probes
Department of Physics, McGill University, 3600 University Street, H3A 2T8, Montreal QC, Canada
* e-mail: gale@physics.mcgill.ca
Received:
19
April
2005
Published online:
27
July
2005
We discuss some of the aspects of the physics of relativistic nuclear collisions, in particular those having to do with the observation of electromagnetic radiation. We concentrate on what such measurements tell us about the local, in-medium properties of the environment from which they emerge. The contributions from different sources are considered: that from the partonic sector of QCD, and that from the confined hadronic phase. Specifically, we discuss the observation of real photons and of lepton pairs at the SPS and at RHIC, and make predictions for the LHC. The role of jets is discussed.
© Springer-Verlag, 2005