Is baryon number violated when electroweak strings intercommute?

Abstract

We reexamine the self-helicity and the intercommutation of electroweak strings. A plausible argument for baryon number conservation when electroweak strings intercommute is presented. The connection between a segment of electroweak strings and a sphaleron is also discussed.

Comments: CALT-68-1948, 11 pages, 5 figures available upon request. Replaced with revised version. (Request should be sent to hkl@guinness.ias.edu)