The dynamics of strongly correlated gluons at high energies

Abstract

We describe some of the recent progress in our understanding of the dynamics of strongly correlated gluons at high parton densities. Computations in the Color Glass Condensate effective field theory provide a good description of inclusive and semi-inclusive final states in DIS, p+p and p+A collisions at small x. In nucleus-nucleus collisions, they provide an ab initio description of entropy generation, decoherence, isotropization and the onset of hydrodynamic flow. The successful description of a wide range of phenomena from RHIC to LHC is outlined and possibilities for more stringent tests noted.

Comments: Extended version of plenary talk at 6th International Conference on Quarks and Nuclear Physics, April 16-20, 2012, Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, France. 11 pages, 6 figures