Baryon number probability distribution at finite temperature

Abstract

The probability distribution of the net baryon number is investigated within the functional renormalization group approach. We find that, because of the Roberge-Weiss periodicity which is related to the Z(3) symmetry of the gluon fields, states of the net baryon number ${N}_{B}=N\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1/3$ with $N\ensuremath{\in}\mathbb{Z}$ are prohibited, and only those of ${N}_{B}=N$ are possible. By employing the probability distribution of the net baryon number, we also compute the cumulants of the baryon number distribution, which are found to be quite consistent with those obtained from the generalized susceptibilities. A question about the relation between the color confinement and the probability distribution of net baryon number is put forward.