Systematics of Heavy Quark Production at RHIC

Abstract

We discuss a program for systematic studies of heavy quark production in $pp$, $pA$ and $AA$ interactions. The $Q\bar{Q}$ production cross sections themselves cannot be accurately predicted to better than 50% at RHIC. For studies of deviations in $Q\bar{Q}$ production such as those by nuclear shadowing and heavy quark energy loss, the $pp$ cross section thus needs to be measured. We then show that the ratio of $pA$ to $pp$ dilepton mass distributions can provide a measurement of the nuclear gluon distribution. With total rates and nuclear shadowing under control it is easier to study energy loss and to use $c\bar{c}$ as a normalization of $J/\ddot{I}ˆ$ production.

10 pages, uses special included style file, 4 eps figures, for proceedings of the 18th Winter Workshop on Nuclear Dynamics, Jan. 2002