LOW-ENERGY LEPTOGENESIS IN LEFT-RIGHT-SYMMETRICAL MODELS

We consider a model of baryogenesis through leptogenesis in which the left-right symmetry breaking phase transition is of first order. We st udy the effective potential and show that there can be a first order p hase transition at the left-right symmetry breaking scale. In this cas e although (B - L) violating interactions are in equilibrium at the sy mmetry breaking scale, enough (B - L) asymmetry may still be generated . However, this symmetry breaking scale may not be accessible in the n ear future.