Thermodynamic signatures and phase transitions in high-energy Au–Au collision

Abstract In this study, we systematically investigate the dynamics of various hadrons namely π + , π − , K + , K − , p , p ¯ , Λ, Λ ¯ , Ξ − and Ξ ¯ + produced in central Au–Au collisions. We analyze data of AGS and RHIC, which span a broad range of collision energies, ranging from s NN = 1.9 to 200 GeV. To analyze the transverse momentum ( p T ) and transverse mass ( m T ) distributions, we employ a two-component standard distribution function, achieving a very good representation of the experimental data across these energy regimes. We extract key thermodynamic parameters, including the effective temperature T , the mean transverse momentum 〈 p T 〉, and the initial temperature T i , and analyze their dependence on the values of collision energy and particle mass. Our findings reveal a distinct transition behaviour around s NN = 19.6 GeV . Below s NN = 19.6 GeV , the values of T , 〈 p T 〉, and T i increase monotonically for all hadrons due to higher energy transfer into the system. Above this energy threshold, these extracted parameters plateau, suggesting that the additional energy is utilized as latent heat for phase transition rather than increasing the system’s temperature. These observations delineate two distinct regions: a hadron-dominated region at lower energies and a parton-dominated region at higher energies, each potentially indicative of different phases of matter, with the latter possibly signalling the onset of a quark–gluon plasma. The study thus provides critical insights into the complex interplay of thermodynamics, phase transitions, and particle interactions in high-energy Au–Au collisions.