INTENSITY INTERFEROMETRY IN SUBATOMIC PHYSICS

The intensity interferometry technique, commonly referred to as the Hanbury-Brown/Twiss effect, has been applied to nuclear and elementary-particle collisions as a method of investigating their space-time evolution. In this review the theoretical framework of the technique is presented, describing the formulations in common use. A survey is made of its application to subatomic collisions, ranging from high-energy elementary-particle reactions to low-energy nuclear reactions. Results derived from experimental data analysis are compiled and discussed. A critique is made of the interpretational difficulties associated with the use of the technique in reaction studies. © 1990 The American Physical Society.