Leptogenesis via Higgs Condensate Relaxation

TL;DR

This paper investigates how Higgs condensate relaxation in the early universe can generate a lepton asymmetry, analyzing decay effects and deriving kinetic equations to identify conditions for successful leptogenesis.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of Higgs relaxation including decay processes and derives kinetic equations, expanding understanding of leptogenesis mechanisms in minimal Standard Model extensions.

Findings

Identifies parameter space for sufficient lepton asymmetry

Derives kinetic equations for Higgs decay and interactions

Analyzes perturbative and non-perturbative decay effects

Abstract

An epoch of Higgs relaxation may occur in the early universe during or immediately following postinflationary reheating. It has recently been pointed out that leptogenesis may occur in minimal extensions of the Standard Model during this epoch. We analyse Higgs relaxation taking into account the effects of perturbative and non-perturbative decays of the Higgs condensate, and we present a detailed derivation of the relevant kinetic equations and of the relevant particle interaction cross sections. We identify the parameter space in which a sufficiently large asymmetry is generated.