The BEST framework for the search for the QCD critical point and the chiral magnetic effect

TL;DR

The paper presents the BEST framework, a comprehensive theoretical approach for analyzing data from RHIC's BES program to locate the QCD critical point and investigate the chiral magnetic effect, integrating multiple modeling components.

Contribution

It introduces a unified theoretical framework combining equation of state, initial state models, hydrodynamics, and transport models for BES data analysis.

Findings

Progress in modeling the QCD equation of state and susceptibilities

Development of hydrodynamic models with fluctuations and anomalous effects

Integration of models into a complete analysis framework

Abstract

The Beam Energy Scan Theory (BEST) Collaboration was formed with the goal of providing a theoretical framework for analyzing data from the Beam Energy Scan (BES) program at the relativistic heavy ion collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The physics goal of the BES program is the search for a conjectured QCD critical point as well as for manifestations of the chiral magnetic effect. We describe progress that has been made over the previous five years. This includes studies of the equation of state and equilibrium susceptibilities, the development of suitable initial state models, progress in constructing a hydrodynamic framework that includes fluctuations and anomalous transport effects, as well as the development of freezeout prescriptions and hadronic transport models. Finally, we address the challenge of integrating these components into a complete analysis framework. This document describes the collective effort of the BEST Collaboration and its collaborators around the world.