WIDG (Weak Interaction Discussion Group) Talk: Eliane Epple, Yale Univesity, “Why we use direct photons and gamma-hadron correlations to study the hot and dense QCD medium”

In this talk I will introduce a couple of observables we heavy ion physicists use to characterize the hot and dense medium created in Au+Au or Pb+Pb collisions. Based on these, I will show you how promising photons as a probe of the hot QCD medium are and I will stress the unique advantages these particles have. The measurements I will discuss contain direct photon yields and gamma-hadron correlations both from RHIC and the LHC. They give insight into how the created medium affects the particles traversing it and thus allow us to characterize its properties.

Pizza will be served outside Wright Lab/EAL 108 at 11:45 a.m.