Signals of the QCD Critical Point in Hydrodynamic Evolutions

TL;DR

This paper proposes that the deformation of hydrodynamic trajectories near the QCD critical point can be detected through specific changes in the transverse velocity dependence of the proton-antiproton ratio, signaling the critical point's presence.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to identify the QCD critical point by analyzing the transverse velocity dependence of proton-antiproton ratios in heavy-ion collisions.

Findings

Unusual transverse velocity dependence observed near the critical point

Hydrodynamic trajectory deformation affects particle ratios

Potential experimental signature for locating the QCD critical point

Abstract

The presence of a critical point in the QCD phase diagram can deform the trajectories describing the evolution of the expanding fireball in the QCD phase diagram. The deformation of the hydrodynamic trajectories will change the transverse velocity dependence of the proton-antiproton ratio when the fireball passes in the vicinity of the critical point. An unusual transverse velocity dependence of the anti-proton/proton ratio in a narrow beam energy window would thus signal the presence of the critical point.