Neutron-anti-neutron oscillation as a test of grand unification

Abstract

We discuss the predictions for neutron-anti-neutron oscillation in various supersymmetric and non-supersymmetric grand unified theories. It is pointed out that in a new class of superstring inspired grand unified theories of $E_6$-type that satisfy gauge coupling unification, breakdown of B-L symmetry occurs at an intermediate scale leading in turn to $\Delta B=1$ type R-parity violating interactions naturally suppressed to the level of $10^{-5}$ to $10^{-7}$. This inturn implies an $N-\bar{N}$ transition time of order $10^{10}$ to $10^{11}$ sec. which may be observable in the next generation of experiments. This model also satisfies the conditions needed for generating the cosmological baryon asymmetry of the right order of magnitude for a restricted range of the parameter space.

Comments: 14 pages + 5 figures available from author; Invited talk at the International Workshop on Future Prospects for Search for Baryon Instability in Proton Decay and Neutron Oscillation, held in Oak Ridge, Tennessee from March 28-30,1996 (to appear in the proceedings)