Measurements of charged-particle multiplicity dependence of higher-order net-proton cumulants in p+p collisions at √s = 200 GeV from STAR at RHIC
- We report on the charged-particle multiplicity dependence of net-proton cumulant ratios up to sixth order from √s = 200 GeV p+p collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The measured ratios C4/C2, C5/C1, and C6/C2 decrease with increased charged-particle multiplicity and rapidity acceptance. Neither the Skellam baselines nor PYTHIA8 calculations account for the observed multiplicity dependence. In addition, the ratios C5/C1 and C6/C2 approach negative values in the highest-multiplicity events. The negative ratios in the most central p+p collisions at 200 GeV, similar to those observed in central Au+Au 200 GeV collisions, imply the formation of thermalized QCD matter.