Kristofer Kainz, Rice University

Thesis topic:  Ks Reconstruction in the E896 Forward Detectors

	This thesis will concentrate on reconstructing Ks mesons and
analyzing Ks spectra.  By "spectra," we are referring to distributions of
quantities such as transverse momentum, transverse mass, and rapidity. 
These will be studied as functions of event classifiers such as impact
parameter and mid-rapidity multiplicity.  We shall compare our observed Ks
spectra with those same spectra attained through filtering several model
predictions for Ks production (such as ARC, HIJET, and RQMD) through the
experimental acceptance.  Such a comparison will expose the physical
mechanisms leading to our observations. 

	The analyses will also include the formation of Ks-pair
correlation functions in as many projections of the pair relative momentum
as allowed by the available statistics.  Correlation functions provide
insight into the spatial and temporal evolution of the heavy ion
collision's participant region, and may also present hints of unexpected
resonances or bound states.

	The detectors required for this analysis include the ECD and MLT,
to measure the event centrality and "violence" of the collision; the DDC
and BVD, to provide tracks and locate secondary vertices; and the TOF
arrays and beam counters, to refit the DDC tracks and provide direct
particle identification on each leg of the Ks --> pi+ pi- decays. 

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