Gauge Theory for Baryon and Lepton Numbers with Leptoquarks

TL;DR

This paper explores models where baryon and lepton numbers are local gauge symmetries broken at low scales, predicting new fermions called leptoquarks, and avoiding the need for a large energy desert to comply with experimental constraints.

Contribution

It introduces new extensions of the Standard Model with local baryon and lepton symmetries broken near the electroweak scale, predicting leptoquarks and addressing proton decay constraints.

Findings

Predicts existence of fermions carrying both baryon and lepton numbers

Local gauge symmetries broken at low scales without a large desert

Addresses experimental constraints on baryon number violation

Abstract

Models where the baryon (B) and lepton (L) numbers are local gauge symmetries that are spontaneously broken at a low scale are revisited. We find new extensions of the Standard Model which predict the existence of fermions that carry both baryon and lepton numbers (i.e., leptoquarks). The local baryonic and leptonic symmetries can be broken at a scale close to the electroweak scale and we do not need to postulate the existence of a large desert to satisfy the experimental constraints on baryon number violating processes like proton decay.