Chemical equilibration of $\pi$, $\rho$ and $\omega$ mesons in ultra--relativistic nuclear collisions

Abstract

I estimate the degree of local chemical equilibration for $\pi$, $\rho$ and $\omega$ mesons in ultra--relativistic nuclear collisions. The $\pi$ and $\rho$ mesons remain near chemical equilibrium in all cases, while the $\omega$ meson density is typically 30--50\% higher than the equilibrium value for O+Ag collisions at $\sqrt{s}=20$ GeV. If chemical reactions are turned off, the $\omega$ meson density is much larger, 2.5--3 times its equilibrium value. Thus, $\omega$ mesons may provide the most sensitive tests for the degree of chemical equilibration in nuclear collisions.