PRODUCTION AND SUPPRESSION OF CHARMONIUM IN NUCLEAR COLLISIONS

The J/psi production cross section considering the contributions of bo th color-singlet and color-octet <c(c)over bar> channels is calculated . The result is used to study the suppression of J/psi in nuclear coll isions. With absorption cross sections for (<c(c)over bar>)(8) sigma(a bs)(8) similar or equal to 11.5+/-1.5 mb and (<c(c)over bar>)(1) sigma (abs)(1) similar or equal to 0 mb the p-A and A-B data except for Pb-P b can be explained. Possible explanations of additional suppression in Pb-Pb are discussed. [S0556-2813(98)00605-0].