Lower-Order Fluctuations (Theory): Insights from Experiment to Theory Comparisons
Abstract
Session co-led with Volker Koch, Gabriella Kovacs, and Anar Rustamov that surveyed how recent lower-order fluctuation measurements can be interpreted within theoretical models. We discussed what we learned from recent measurements of net-proton cumulants in collider and fixed target regimes, the systematics that dominate current comparisons, and further tests of the baseline models via acceptance dependencies.
Volodymyr Y. Vovchenko co-led this theory-focused session on lower-order fluctuations as part of the Institute for Nuclear Theory program The QCD Critical Point: Are We There Yet? in Seattle. The discussion highlighted what current measurements of net-proton and net-charge cumulants reveal about the QCD phase diagram, how theoretical frameworks benchmark those data, and which future measurements will be most decisive in pinning down critical behavior.
Volodymyr Vovchenko
Theoretical Physicist
My group’s research interests include heavy-ion collisions, hot and dense QCD matter, neutron stars, and scientific computing