The physics of nucleus-nucleus collisions

The collisions between two nuclei is described when the relative velocity grows from below to above the Fermi velocity. The change from collective dissipative phenomena to the dominance of individual nucleon-nucleon interactions is analysed, and the definition and relevance of global observables in such many-body processes are discussed. The lectures will present in some details the new aspects of nuclear dynamics, such as multifragmentation, and of nuclear structure, such as exotic radioactive modes and diluted nuclear matter which are observed in these reactions.