Coulomb Effects on Particle Spectra in Relativistic Nuclear Collisions

Coulomb effects on $\pi^\pm$ and $K^\pm$ spectra in relativistic nuclear collisions are investigated. At collision energies around 1 GeV the ratio of $\pi^-$ to $\pi^+$ is enhanced several times at low transverse momenta but less at ultrarelativistic energies. We describe the ratios at SIS, AGS and SPS energies with simple analytic models as well as more elaborate numerical models incorporating the expansion dynamics. The Coulomb effect depends on the properties of the source after the violent collision phase and provides information on source sizes, freeze-out times, and expansion velocities. Comparison to results from HBT analyses are made. Predictions for $\pi^\pm$ and $K^\pm$ at RHIC and LHC energies are given.