Experimental results for fluctuations and correlations as a signature of QCD phase transitions in heavy-ion collisions

Abstract

The search for signatures of QCD phase transitions in heavy-ion collisions can be enhanced by using experimental signatures based on event-by-event fluctuations and correlations. We introduce several experimental observables and study the incident energy, system size and centrality dependence of these quantities. In this paper, we will present experimental results for K/π fluctuations, balance functions, net charge fluctuations and pt correlations at energies ranging from to 200 GeV. We will also comment on the upcoming RHIC energy scan and new SPS experimental program.