Nucleon number dependence of the onset of anomalous J/psi suppression and the dynamics of nuclear collisions

We point out that the data on the onset of anomalous J/psi suppression as a function of nucleon numbers A and B could provide information on the dynam ics of nuclear interactions. In particular the models of anomalous J/psi su ppression by Blaizot and Ollitrault (BO) and by Kharzeev, Lourenco, Nardi a nd Satz (KLNS) are based on different assumptions on the dynamics of nuclea r collisions and lead to different predictions of the dependence of the ons et of anomalous J/psi suppression on nucleon numbers of colliding nuclei. T he data on this onset as function of A and B could become a tool for the st udy of the dynamics of nuclear collisions and bring further evidence on J/p si suppression by new form of hadronic matter, possibly quark-gluon plasma. In particular we propose to study J/psi suppression in A + Pb interaction with nucleon number of A between 58 and 73 or a bit higher. (C) 2001 Publis hed by Elsevier Science B.V.