Recent Results of Fluctuation and Correlation Studies from the QCD Critical Point Search at RHIC

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 QCD Critical Point Search at RHIC will be presented, with a focus on particle ratio ($K/\pi$, $p/\pi$, and $K/p$) fluctuations and their comparison to previous measurements and theoretical predictions.