Density fluctuations as signature of a non-equilibrium first-order phase transition

Abstract

We show that in the presence of spinodal instabilities which develop at a first order phase transition, the fluctuations of conserved charges can be as strong as those at the critical end point (CEP). In particular, the net baryon number susceptibility diverges as the system crosses the isothermal spinodal lines. This indicates that charge density fluctuations can be used not only to probe the CEP but also the non--equilibrium first order chiral phase transition in heavy ion collisions.