Periodic Euclidean solutions of SU(2)-Higgs theory - art. no. 065013

We examine periodic, spherically symmetric, classical solutions of SU(2)-Hi ggs theory in four-dimensional Euclidean space. Classical perturbation theo ry is used to construct periodic time-dependent solutions in the neighborho od of the static sphaleron. The behavior of the action, as a function of pe riod, changes character depending on the value of the Higgs boson mass. The required pattern of bifurcations of solutions as a function of the Higgs b oson mass is examined, and implications for the temperature dependence of t he baryon number violation rate in the standard model are discussed. [S0556 -2821(99)03906-5].