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Alexey Anisimov1, Wilfried Buchmüller, Marco Drewes

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Thermal leptogenesis, a theory explaining the universe's matter-antimatter asymmetry via neutrino masses, was precisely calculated using quantum mechanics. This quantum approach reveals significant uncertainties in conventional methods, highlighting the importance of thermal damping.

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Area of Science:

  • Cosmology
  • Particle Physics
  • Quantum Mechanics

Background:

  • The observed matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe remains a significant puzzle in cosmology.
  • Thermal leptogenesis provides a theoretical framework linking neutrino masses to this asymmetry, consistent with experimental data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To perform a full quantum mechanical calculation of lepton asymmetry generation in thermal leptogenesis.
  • To compare the accuracy of quantum mechanical methods with traditional Boltzmann equation approaches.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Kadanoff-Baym equations for a quantum mechanical treatment of heavy Majorana neutrino propagators.
  • Calculated lepton asymmetry directly using Green's functions, avoiding "number density" approximations.
  • Incorporated thermal damping rates into the quantum mechanical framework.

Main Results:

  • The quantum mechanical calculation reveals that the departure of the heavy Majorana neutrino propagator from equilibrium, combined with CP violating couplings, is the origin of asymmetry.
  • A direct comparison with Boltzmann equations indicates conventional leptogenesis calculations may have uncertainties of at least one order of magnitude.
  • The inclusion of thermal damping rates is crucial for accurate quantum mechanical calculations.

Conclusions:

  • Quantum mechanical calculations, specifically using Kadanoff-Baym equations, offer a more precise method for determining lepton asymmetry in thermal leptogenesis.
  • Conventional Boltzmann equation approaches may overestimate or underestimate the generated lepton asymmetry due to neglecting quantum effects like thermal damping.
  • This study underscores the necessity of a full quantum mechanical treatment for understanding the generation of the universe's matter-antimatter asymmetry.