The high-density equation of state in heavy-ion collisions: constraints from proton flow

Abstract

Abstract A set of different equations of state is implemented in the molecular dynamics part of a non-equilibrium transport simulation (UrQMD) of heavy-ion collisions. It is shown how different flow observables are affected by the density dependence of the equation of state. In particular, the effects of a phase transition at high density are explored, including an expected reduction in mean $$m_T$$ m T . We also show that an increase in $$v_2$$ v 2 is characteristic for a strong softening of the equation of state. The phase transitions with a low coexistence density, $$n_{\text {CE}}<4 n_0$$ n CE < 4 n 0 , show a distinct minimum in the slope of the directed flow as a function of the beam energy, which would be a clear experimental signal. By comparing our results with experimental data, we can exclude any strong phase transition at densities below $$4n_0$$ 4 n 0 .