The early thermalization and HBT puzzles at RHIC

Abstract

The early thermalization and HBT puzzles in relativistic heavy-ion collisions studied at RHIC are shortly reviewed. The results of recent hydrodynamic calculations that shed light on these two intriguing issues are presented. In particular, the role of the elliptic flow as a signature of early thermalization is critically examined.

Comments: Lectures presented at the Jubilee 50th Cracow School of Theoretical Physics, Zakopane, June 9-19, 2010