An estimate for the location of QCD critical end point

Abstract

It is proposed that a study of the ratio of shear viscosity to entropy density $\frac{\eta}{s}$ as a function of the baryon chemical potential $\mu_B$, and temperature T, provides a dynamic probe for the critical end point (CEP) in hot and dense QCD matter. An initial estimate from an elliptic flow excitation function gives $\mu^{\text{cep}}_B \sim 150-180$ MeV and $T_{\text{cep}} \sim 165 - 170$ MeV for the location of the the CEP. These values place the CEP in the range for "immediate" validation at RHIC.