Hot and Dense Matter in Heavy Ion CollisionsJet Quenching, Confinement and Saturation

Abstract

Quantum ChromoDynamics, the theory that describes the strong interaction in terms of quarks and gluons, allows several kinds of matter besides the usual hadrons. One such kind is the deconfined state known as quark-gluon plasma (QGP). This colored medium is created during energetic heavy ion collisions like the ones taking place in the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The plasma lifetime is very brief, so it has to be studied by indirect means. The presence of the QGP in the aftermath of the collision induces modifications in the particles traversing it. The study of these medium-induced phenomena can be done by comparing the final state seen in the detectors with the corresponding one in proton-proton collisions and thus allowing for the extraction of the QGP properties. This PhD thesis topics are related to such medium-induced modifications: jet quenching and quarkonia suppression.