Michael Murray

Bio: Michael Murray is an academic researcher from University of Kansas. The author has contributed to research in topics: Physics & Particle physics. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 20 publications receiving 2432 citations. Previous affiliations of Michael Murray include University of Copenhagen & Texas A&M University.

Pseudorapidity distributions of charged particles from Au+Au collisions at the maximum RHIC energy

Abstract: We present charged-particle multiplicities as a function of pseudorapidity and collision centrality for the ${}^{197}\mathrm{Au}{+}^{197}\mathrm{Au}$ reaction at $\sqrt{{s}_{\mathrm{NN}}}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}200\mathrm{GeV}$. For the $5%$ most central events we obtain ${\mathrm{dN}}_{\mathrm{ch}}/d\ensuremath{\eta}{|}_{\ensuremath{\eta}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}0}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}625\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}55$ and ${N}_{\mathrm{ch}}{|}_{\ensuremath{-}4.7\ensuremath{\le}\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\le}4.7}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}4630\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}370$, i.e., $14%$ and $21%$ increases, respectively, relative to $\sqrt{{s}_{\mathrm{NN}}}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}130\mathrm{GeV}$ collisions. Charged-particle production per pair of participant nucleons is found to increase from peripheral to central collisions around midrapidity. These results constrain current models of particle production at the highest RHIC energy.

The RHIC zero-degree calorimeters

Abstract: The RHIC zero-degree calorimeters provide common event characterization in the four heavy ion experiments which recently completed their first data taking run. Here, we describe simulations which lead to the design of these devices, teastbeam performance and initial experience at RHIC.

The BRAHMS experiment at RHIC

Abstract: The BRAHMS experiment at RHIC was conceived to pursue the understanding of nuclear matter under extreme conditions by detailed measurements of charged hadrons over the widest possible range of rapidity and transverse momentum. The experiment consists of two spectrometers with complementary charged hadron detection capabilities as well as a series of global detectors for event characterization. A series of tracking detectors, time-of-flight arms and Cherenkov detectors enables momentum determination and particle identification over a wide range of rapidity and transverse momentum. Technical details and performance results are presented for the various detector subsystems. The performance of the entire system working together is shown to meet the goals of the experiment.

The CMS experiment at the CERN LHC

Abstract: The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) detector is described. The detector operates at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. It was conceived to study proton-proton (and lead-lead) collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 14 TeV (5.5 TeV nucleon-nucleon) and at luminosities up to 10(34)cm(-2)s(-1) (10(27)cm(-2)s(-1)). At the core of the CMS detector sits a high-magnetic-field and large-bore superconducting solenoid surrounding an all-silicon pixel and strip tracker, a lead-tungstate scintillating-crystals electromagnetic calorimeter, and a brass-scintillator sampling hadron calorimeter. The iron yoke of the flux-return is instrumented with four stations of muon detectors covering most of the 4 pi solid angle. Forward sampling calorimeters extend the pseudo-rapidity coverage to high values (vertical bar eta vertical bar <= 5) assuring very good hermeticity. The overall dimensions of the CMS detector are a length of 21.6 m, a diameter of 14.6 m and a total weight of 12500 t.

Glauber Modeling in High Energy Nuclear Collisions

Abstract: We review the theoretical background, experimental techniques, and phenomenology of what is known in relativistic heavy ion physics as the Glauber model, which is used to calculate geometric quantities. A brief history of the original Glauber model is presented, with emphasis on its development into the purely classical, geometric picture used for present-day data analyses. Distinctions are made between the optical limit and Monte Carlo approaches, which are often used interchangeably but have some essential differences in particular contexts. The methods used by the four RHIC experiments are compared and contrasted, although the end results are reassuringly similar for the various geometric observables. Finally, several important RHIC measurements are highlighted that rely on geometric quantities, estimated from Glauber calculations, to draw insight from experimental observables. The status and future of Glauber modeling in the next generation of heavy ion physics studies is briefly discussed.

Electron-Ion Collider: The next QCD frontier: Understanding the glue that binds us all

Abstract: This White Paper presents the science case of an Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), focused on the structure and interactions of gluon-dominated matter, with the intent to articulate it to the broader nuclear science community. It was commissioned by the managements of Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) with the objective of presenting a summary of scientific opportunities and goals of the EIC as a follow-up to the 2007 NSAC Long Range plan. This document is a culmination of a community-wide effort in nuclear science following a series of workshops on EIC physics over the past decades and, in particular, the focused ten-week program on “Gluons and quark sea at high energies” at the Institute for Nuclear Theory in Fall 2010. It contains a brief description of a few golden physics measurements along with accelerator and detector concepts required to achieve them. It has been benefited profoundly from inputs by the users’ communities of BNL and JLab. This White Paper offers the promise to propel the QCD science program in the US, established with the CEBAF accelerator at JLab and the RHIC collider at BNL, to the next QCD frontier.