Interpreting Near-side Correlations

Understand

Recent data from heavy ion collisions at RHIC show strong near-side correlations extending over several units of rapidity.

• This ridge-like correlation exhibits an abrupt onset with collision centrality.
• In this talk, I argue that the centrality and beam-energy dependence of these near-angle correlations could provide access to information about the Quark Gluon Plasma phase boundary and the Equation of State of nuclear matter.
• A beam-energy-scan at RHIC will better reveal the true source of these correlations and should be a high priority at RHIC.