Gribov theory of nuclear interactions and particle densities at future heavy-ion colliders

Gribov approach to high-energy interactions of hadrons and nuclei is review ed and applied to calculation of particle production in heavy-ion collision s. It is pointed out that the AGK (Abramovsky, Gribov, Kancheli) cutting ru les are a powerful tool to investigate particle spectra in these processes. It leads, in the Glauber approximation, to a simple formula for the densit y of hadrons produced in the central rapidity region in nucleus-nucleus int eractions. An estimate of this density for RHIC and LHC is presented and co mpared with results of Monte-Carlo calculations. It is shown that the Glaub er approximation substantially overestimates particle densities compared to the results of the complete Gribov theory. This is due to extra shadowing in the system, related to large mass diffraction which leads to a strong de crease of particle densities at mid rapidities. Our method of calculation o f these effects has been applied to the problem of shadowing of nuclear str ucture functions and a good agreement with experimental data has been obtai ned.