Transverse energy asymmetry in the forward/backward kinematic regions using RHIC beam energy scan data taken by PHENIX

The PHENIX Muon Piston Calorimeter (MPC) is a uniquely situated homogeneous electromagnetic calorimeter that allows, among other things, the study of transverse energy in the forward/backward ($3.1<|\eta|<3.8$) kinematic regions. Transverse energy asymmetries between the North and South hemispheres of the MPC will be studied. Fluctuations in these asymmetries might shed light on the QCD phase diagram of nuclear matter. Nonmonotonic behavior as a function of beam energy would be of particular interest. Accordingly, progress on the analysis of $\sqrt{S_{NN}}$=200, 62.4, 39, and 7.7 GeV Au+Au collisions obtained in 2010 with respect to the aforementioned observables will be reported.