The QCD Phase Diagram and Beam Energy Scan Physics: A Theory Overview*

Uncovering the phase diagram of strongly-interacting matter is at the heart of numerous theoretical and experimental efforts worldwide. Among these, relativistic collisions of heavy nuclei provide unique opportunities for probing hot and dense systems and thus enable comprehensive studies of the QCD equation of state which include, in particular, efforts aimed at identifying signatures of the QCD critical point. 

Recent and upcoming results from the Beam Energy Scan at RHIC, given its extraordinary range of available collision energies which can probe systems with vastly different properties, are especially promising in this regard. Describing the corresponding experimental observables over the entire RHIC energy range has been an inspiring challenge for the theory. 

In this talk, I will summarize recent advancements in using experimental data and simulations of heavy-ion collisions to put constraints on the QCD equation of state and support the search for the QCD critical point.