Experimental Signals of Phase Transition
arXiv:nucl-ex/0310013 · doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2004.01.094
Abstract
The connection between the thermodynamics of charged finite nuclear systems and the asymptotically measured partitions is presented. Some open questions, concerning in particular equilibrium partitions are discussed. We show a detailed comparison of the decay patterns in Au+ C,Cu,Au central collisions and in Au quasi-projectile events. Observation of abnormally large fluctuations in carefully selected samples of data is reported as an indication of a first order phase transition (negative heat capacity) in the nuclear equation of state.
8 pages, 8th International Conference on Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions, Moscow 2003