Recent Results of Fluctuation and Correlation Studies from the STAR Experiment

Abstract

Enhanced fluctuations and correlations have been observed in the phase transitions of many systems. Their appearance at the predicted QCD phase transition (especially near the expected critical point) may provide insight into the nature of the phase transition. Recent results from the STAR experiment will be presented with a focus on particle ratio (K/$\pi$ and p/$\pi$) fluctuations, forward-backward multiplicity correlations, and balance functions. Also discussed will be possibilities for measuring these correlations and fluctuations in the recently initiated beam energy scan at RHIC.