Forward-Backward Multiplicity Correlations in sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV Au+Au Collisions

Abstract

Forward-backward correlations of charged-particle multiplicities in symmetric bins in pseudorapidity (eta) are studied in order to gain insight into the underlying correlation structure of particle production in Au+Au collisions. The PHOBOS detector is used to measure integrated multiplicities in bins defined within eta<3, centered at eta and covering an interval Delta-eta. The variance (sigma^2_C) of a suitably defined forward-backward asymmetry variable is calculated as a function of eta, Delta-eta, and centrality. It is found to be sensitive to short range correlations, and the concept of ``clustering'' is used to interpret comparisons to phenomenological models.