Two-particle correlations in relativistic heavy ion collisions

Two-particle intensity interferometry has been used to study distant stars as well as high energy particle collisions. Applied to relativistic heavy ion collisions, this technique yields source and lifetime parameters with which the authors hope to improve understanding of collision geometry and dynamics. Experiments at the Brookhaven AGS have measured two-particle correlations for protons, pions and kaons for a variety of projectiles and targets. In particular, for the central 14.6 A·GeV/c 28Si+Au system, source parameters for kaons and pions have been measured in overlapping kinematic regions. For central 28Si+A systems, proton correlations have been studied. In addition, measurements of the two-pion correlation have been made for a range of impact parameters for Si+A collisions and for central 11.6 A·GeV/c 197Au+Au collisions. Results from the above measurements is presented to illustrate what has been learned about hot and dense nuclear matter