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Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Setting Limits on Supersymmetry Using Simplified Models
Published on: November 15, 2013
Helical magnetic fields from sphaleron decay and baryogenesis
Craig J Copi1, Francesc Ferrer, Tanmay Vachaspati
1CERCA, Department of Physics, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-7079, USA.
Abstract:
Many models of baryogenesis rely on anomalous particle physics processes to give baryon number violation. By numerically evolving the electroweak equations on a lattice, we show that baryogenesis in these models creates helical cosmic magnetic fields, though the helicity created is smaller than earlier analytical estimates. After a transitory period, electroweak dynamics is found to conserve the Chern-Simons number and the total electromagnetic helicity. We argue that baryogenesis could lead to magnetic fields of nano-Gauss strength today on astrophysical length scales. In addition to being astrophysically relevant, such helical magnetic fields can provide an independent probe of baryogenesis and CP violation in particle physics.
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