The Sphaleron Rate through the Electroweak Cross-over

TL;DR

This study uses lattice simulations to measure the sphaleron rate across the electroweak cross-over in the Standard Model, providing insights into baryon number violation relevant for baryogenesis.

Contribution

It presents the first detailed temperature-dependent sphaleron rate measurements through the electroweak cross-over for different Higgs masses using advanced lattice simulation techniques.

Findings

Sphaleron rate decreases sharply as temperature drops below the cross-over.

Provides a continuous profile of sphaleron rate from high temperature to the broken phase.

Results are relevant for understanding baryogenesis mechanisms.

Abstract

Using lattice simulations, we measure the sphaleron rate in the Standard Model as a function of temperature through the electroweak cross-over, for the Higgs masses m_H=115 and m_H=160 GeV. We pay special attention to the shutting off of the baryon rate as the temperature is lowered. This quantity enters computations of Baryogenesis via Leptogenesis, where non-zero lepton number is converted into non-zero baryon number by equilibrium sphaleron transitions. Combining existing numerical methods applicable in the symmetric and broken electroweak phases, we find the temperature dependence of the sphaleron rate at very high temperature, through the electroweak cross-over transition, and deep into the broken phase.