Thermalization of a Quark-Gluon Plasma

Abstract

The thermalization time for a Quark-Gluon-Plasma is estimated from a quantum transport model beyond the quasi-particle approach (or kinetic gas theory). While our ansatz is crude concerning the properties of ''real'' quarks and gluons, it nevertheless takes very serious the basic principles of quantum field theory for non-equilibrium states. It is found, that the thermalization time obtained from quantum transport theory is substantially longer than from kinetic theory. In our view this casts some doubts on scenarios which a priori assume a thermalized quark gluon plasma.