# Baryon/Lepton Number of Sphalerons

+ 2 like - 0 dislike
104 views

Is it meaningful to associate baryon and/or lepton numbers to the SU(2) electroweak sphaleron?

In processes that violate baryon and/or lepton number, is it meaningful to associate such quantum numbers to the sphaleron itself? If so, what are these numbers, and are they conserved?

Is there a resource that discusses this in detail or even at all?

This post imported from StackExchange Physics at 2016-11-08 14:08 (UTC), posted by SE-user Optimus Prime
retagged Nov 8, 2016
How do you envision permuting two sphalerons?

This post imported from StackExchange Physics at 2016-11-08 14:08 (UTC), posted by SE-user Cosmas Zachos
@ Cosmas By this question, do you mean finding a suitable commutation relation for them? If so, what could I infer from it?

This post imported from StackExchange Physics at 2016-11-08 14:08 (UTC), posted by SE-user Optimus Prime
Well, baryon and lepton numbers are violated by it, so it would preserve its own if it had such? A sphaleron is a configuration, not a mother particle.

This post imported from StackExchange Physics at 2016-11-08 14:08 (UTC), posted by SE-user Cosmas Zachos
 Please use answers only to (at least partly) answer questions. To comment, discuss, or ask for clarification, leave a comment instead. To mask links under text, please type your text, highlight it, and click the "link" button. You can then enter your link URL. Please consult the FAQ for as to how to format your post. This is the answer box; if you want to write a comment instead, please use the 'add comment' button. Live preview (may slow down editor)   Preview Your name to display (optional): Email me at this address if my answer is selected or commented on: Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications. Anti-spam verification: If you are a human please identify the position of the character covered by the symbol $\varnothing$ in the following word:p$\hbar$ysic$\varnothing$OverflowThen drag the red bullet below over the corresponding character of our banner. When you drop it there, the bullet changes to green (on slow internet connections after a few seconds). To avoid this verification in future, please log in or register.