Probing the QCD critical point by higher moments of net-proton multiplicity distributions at STAR

Abstract

Higher moments (kurtosis (κ), skewness (S) and variance (σ2)) of multiplicity distributions are sensitive to the correlation length and can be used to search for the QCD critical point. The moment products κσ2 and Sσ of net-proton distributions, which are also related to volume independent baryon number susceptibility ratios, can be compared with Lattice QCD and Hadron Resonance Gas (HRG) model calculations. We discuss the recent progress in the higher moments analysis of net-protons multiplicity distributions. © 2012 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Wien.