BARYOGENESIS VIA B-L VIOLATION IN SO(10) UNIFIED MODELS

We discuss the problem of baryon number generation in the framework of a class of SO(10) grand unified models with an intermediate mass scal e. In these theories the neutrino mass spectrum allows for the tau neu trino to be a good candidate for the hot component of the dark matter and, at the same time, an implementation of the MSW mechanism is possi ble. We show that an adequate matter-antimatter asymmetry is achievabl e through the interplay of B - L violating decays of scalar bosons int o massive right-handed neutrinos with the anomalous B + L violating pr ocesses mediated by sphalerons.