Paper detail

Has the QCD critical point been observed at RHIC?

The experimental search for the location of the QCD critical point in the phase diagram is of primary importance. In a recent publication it is claimed that measurements at RHIC lead not only to the location of the critical point ($μ_{cep}=95$ MeV, $T_{cep}=165$ MeV) but also to the verification of its universality class ($3d$ Ising system) by extracting the values of the critical exponents ($γ=1.2$, $ν=0.66$). We argue that this claim is based on an erroneous treatment of scaling relations near the critical point. As a result, the correct interpretation of the measurements cannot be linked to the QCD critical point.