title: Proton-number fluctuation as a signal of the QCD critical end point.
abstract: We argue that the event-by-event fluctuation of the proton number is a meaningful and promising observable for the purpose of detecting the QCD critical end point in heavy-ion collision experiments. The long range fluctuation of the order parameter induces a characteristic correlation between protons which can be measured. The proton fluctuation also manifests itself as anomalous enhancement of charge fluctuations near the end point, which might be already seen in existing data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hatta
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Stephanov