Baryogenesis versus proton stability in theories with extra dimensions

We propose a new scenario of baryogenesis in the context of theories with large extra dimensions. The baryon number is almost conserved at zero temperature by means of a localization mechanism recently analyzed by Arkani-Hamed and Schmaltz: leptons and quarks are located at two slightly displaced positions in the extra space, and this naturally suppresses the interactions which “convert” the latter in the former. We show that this is expected to be no longer true when finite temperature effects are taken into account. The whole scenario is first presented in its generality, without referring to the bulk geometry or to the specific mechanism which may generate the baryon asymmetry. As an example, we then focus on a baryogenesis model reminiscent of GUT baryogenesis. The Sakharov out of equilibrium condition is satisfied by assuming nonthermal production of the bosons that induce baryon number violation.