Heavy ion physics : theory

Abstract

Lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) predicts a new state of matter, called quark-gluon plasma (QGP), at sufficiently high temperatures or equivalently large energy densities. Relativistic heavy ion collisions are expected to produce such energy densities, thereby providing us a chance to test the above prediction. After a brief introduction of the necessary theoretical concepts, I present some critical comments on the experimental results with an aim to examine whether QGP has already been observed experimentally.

Plenary Talk given at IVth Rencontres du Vietnam, Hanoi, July 2000; LaTeX, 8 pages including 3 eps figures, uses moriond.sty