https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-026-02226-w
Review
Search for the QCD critical point in high energy nuclear collisions: a status report
1
School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi Normal University, 15 Yucai Road, 541004, Guilin, China
2
Key Laboratory of Quark and Lepton Physics (MOE) and Institute of Particle Physics, Central China Normal University, 152 Luoyu Road, 430079, Wuhan, China
a
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b
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Received:
4
December
2025
Accepted:
17
February
2026
Published online:
4
March
2026
Abstract
We review recent results of net-proton multiplicity fluctuations from STAR experiment, aiming to locate the QCD critical point in high-energy nuclear collisions at RHIC. We show net-proton number cumulant and proton number factorial cumulant ratios up to fourth order using experimental data from RHIC BES-II Au+Au collisions in collider mode and fixed-target mode. The comparison is made between experimental data and non-critical model calculations from Lattice QCD, HRG, hydrodynamic simulations and transport model UrQMD. In addition, we discuss the initial volume fluctuation effect, which plays a significant role in fixed-target energies. Finally, an outlook on experimental research on the QCD critical point in future experiments will be presented.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
