Can Recent Charge Fluctuations Be a Reliable signal for a QGP at RHIC?

Abstract

The recent papers of Jeon and Koch [1] and Asakawa, Heinz, and Muller [2] argue that the event by event fluctuations of the ratio of the positively charged and negatively charged pions provide a distinct signal for a QGP at RHIC/LHC due to differences in those from the QGP phase and the Hadron Gas Phase.In this paper we point out that aside from the questionability of the many assumptions in the treatment used,even following their approach there are other effects not considered, e.g. color charge fluctuations, which could significantly or even completely wash out the proposed signal.Therefore lack of observation of these charge fluctuation signals cannot lead one to conclude that a QGP is not formed at RHIC. A general discussion of experimental requirements for observation of such signals(if they exist),annd how to interpret them is included.