Calculation of ET from single particle spectra

Abstract

Abstract In high energy heavy ion collisions, measurements of transverse energy (ET ) can constrain the initial energy density and therefore provide insight into the formation of the Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP). This is particularly interesting in regions where it is unclear if the QGP is formed. The ET in a collision can be measured either from a calorimeter or calculated from the single particle momentum spectra. We use spectra measured by the STAR collaboration to calculate the transverse energy in heavy ion collisions in Au+Au collisions at S NN = 7.7 − 200 GeV . These calculations are compared to PHENIX measurements using a calorimeter.