# Violation of lepton number in 3 units

## TL;DR

This paper explores the possibility of lepton number violation in groups of three units, discussing its theoretical implications and how it can be tested through collider and proton decay experiments.

## Contribution

It introduces the concept of lepton number violation in three units, expanding the scope beyond the well-studied one and two-unit violations.

## Key findings

- Lepton number may be violated in groups of three units.
- Collider and proton decay experiments can test this violation.
- Potential implications for new physics beyond the Standard Model.

## Abstract

The number of leptons may or may not be a conserved quantity. The Standard Model predicts that it is (in perturbative processes), but there is the well known possibility that new physics violates lepton number in one or two units. The first case ($\Delta L=1$) is associated to proton decay into mesons plus a lepton or an anti-lepton, while the second one ($\Delta L=2$) is usually associated to Majorana neutrino masses and neutrinoless double beta decay. It is also conceivable that leptons can only be created or destroyed in groups of three ($\Delta L=3$). Colliders and proton decay experiments can explore this possibility.