Central and Non-central HBT from AGS to RHIC

Abstract

We review the status of particle interferometry in ultra-relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions. The theoretical focus is on the model-independent space-time interpretation of HBT radius parameters and its extension to the geometrical and dynamical asymmetries generated in finite impact parameter collisions. On the experimental side, we give a complete account of all presently available data for beam energies above 2 AGeV. We discuss what these data imply for the dynamics and space-time extension of the collision region and for the condition under which particles decouple from this region.

63 pages LaTex, 16 eps figures, invited review for "Quark Gluon Plasma 3", eds. R.C.Hwa and X.-N.Wang, World Scientific extended discussion of non-central HBT, minor corrections to improve clarity, updated references