Hot Quarks 2004 - a Workshop on the Physics of Ultrarelativistic Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions for Young Scientists

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The Hot Quarks 2004 Workshop will take place on July 18-24, 2004 in Taos, NM. The main topic of the workshop is the physicsof strongly interacting nuclear matter at extreme energy densities.Quantum Chromo-Dynamics, the theory describing the forces acting within atomic nuclei, predicts that at sufficientlyhigh temperatures and/or densities, matter should undergo atransition from the standard hadronic phase to a plasma ofdeconfined quarks and gluons (Quark Gluon Plasma, QGP) - atransition which, according to our cosmological models,took place in the early universe about 10 microseconds after the BigBang.Already the programs at the Brookhaven National LaboratoryAlternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS) and the CERN Super ProtonSynchrotron (SPS) have produced evidence for the onset of newphenomena. The research in this field is now successfullycontinuing at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC) at BNLwhile the next phase, to take place at the CERN Large HadronCollider (LHC), is under preparation. There are around 2000physicists worldwide working in the field: a very activeand lively, expanding community. In such a context, goodcommunication and networking, especially among the young andproductive members in the field, are vital.The aim of this particular workshop is to enhance the direct exchange of scientific information among the younger members of the community (graduate students, postdocs and junior faculty), both from the experiment and theory. Participation in the workshop will be by invitation only - in order to strengthen the emphasis on younger membersof the community, participation will be restricted to peoplewho have obtained their Ph.D. no earlier than 1989.This particular approach makes the workshop unique among the various workshops and conferences in the field. For young scientists it represents an opportunity for exchange and exposure that that they would not have in one of the major big conferences. It will help to stimulate the next generation of the field and strengthen their sense of community.