Sign-posting the phase diagram of quantum chromodynamics

摘要

The good agreement between lattice predictions and data for the shape of the distribution of event-by-event fluctuations of the baryon number is discussed. Such comparisons can give fine probes of thermalization, and can be used to provide a direct determination of the cross-over temperature e?‘?c QCD. The logic of these comparisons and the systematics involved are discussed. The same methods can be used to further explore the phase diagram.