Paul Stankus

Search for Jet-Like Behavior in 158 A*GeV/c Pb+Pb Collisions

Abstract:

Among the most intriguing theoretical predictions in high-energy heavy-ion collisions has been that of ``jet quenching.'' Significant energy loss of hard-scattered partons in the collision medium can lead to dramatic suppression of single high-Pt hadrons as well as back-to-back high-Pt pairs. A search for jet-like behavior, and modifications thereto, has been made in the WA98 experiment where high-statistics calorimetry allows access to inclusive photons and pi-zero's out to Pt of 4 GeV/c. Preliminary results will be presented, and implications for parton energy-loss physics will be discussed. Considerations for similar investigations at RHIC will also be highlighted.