Session H02: DNP Prize Session

Herman Feshbach Prize in Theoretical Nuclear Physics: the role of neutrinos in element synthesis

We outline the role of neutrinos in explosive systems and review progress in our understanding of neutrino physics, nuclear physics, and astrophysics of core-collapse supernovae, black hole accretion disks, and merging neutron stars.  We discuss the influence of this progress on predictions of element synthesis.   

From vacuum fluctuations to multiparticle production in collisions of ultra relativistic particles

In a typical collision of ultra relativistic particles (eg protons or nuclei) a very large number of hadrons is produced. For example, at the Large Hadron Collider LHC, when two lead nuclei are made to collide at a center of mass energy of 5 TeV per nucleon pair, over 30000 particles, such as protons or pions, are produced. It is a beautiful example of the conversion of kinetic energy into mass. 

This talk is aimed at students rather than experts and will address questions such as:

What is the mechanism of multi particle production? What is the space-time evolution of the production process? What are the properties of the quantum chromodynamic medium, named Quark-Gluon Plasma or QGP, which exists between the instant of impact and the final creation of individual hadrons?