The net-baryon number fluctuations for three-flavor quark matter are computed within the Polyakov extended Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model. Two models with vanishing and nonvanishing vector interactions are considered. While the former predicts a critical endpoint (CEP) in the phase diagram, the latter predicts no CEP. We show that the nonmonotonic behavior of the susceptibilities in the phase diagram is still present even in the absence of a CEP. Therefore, from the nonmonotonic behavior of the susceptibilities solely, one cannot assume the existence of a CEP. We analyze other possible properties that may distinguish the two scenarios, and determine the behavior of the net-baryon number fluctuations and the velocity of sound along several isentropes, with moderate and small values. It is shown that the value of the susceptibilities ratios and the velocity of sound at two or three isentropic lines could possibly allow to distinguish both scenarios, a phase diagram with or without CEP. Smoother behaviors of these quantities may indicate the nonexistence of a CEP. We also discuss the critical behavior of the strange sector.

• Received 26 April 2018

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.98.034006

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Published by the American Physical Society