Ultrarelativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions and the quark gluon plasma
We present an overview of selected aspects of ultrarelativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions, a research program devoted to the study of strongly interacting matter at high energy densities and in particular to the characterization of the quark-gluon plasma (QGP). The basic features of the phase diagram of nuclear matter, as currently understood theoretically, are discussed. The experimental program, carried out over a broad energy domain at various accelerators, is briefly reviewed, with an emphasis on the global characterization of nucleus-nucleus collisions. Two particular aspects are treated in more detail: i) the application of statistical models to a phenomenological description of particle production and the information it provides on the phase diagram; ii) the production of hadrons carrying charm quarks as messengers from the QGP phase.
A bibliography containing 109 references is presented on the non- destructive analysis of irradiated and unirradiated reactor fuel assemblies. A description of the theory of each method, the equipment utilized, and estimates of the precision obtainable are cortained. Problems presented by variations in enrichment, alloying, cladding, geometrical arrangement, etc., are discussed. (C.J.G.)