Observable gravitationally induced baryon decay

Abstract

We find that in supersymmetric theories gravitodynamic effects scaled by the inverse of the Planck mass can induce baryon decay at an observable rate. In a minimal supersymmetric (susy) grand unified theory (GUT) the dominant gravitationally induced baryon decay mode is B → ν + K , with a likely admixture of p → (e + or μ +) + K. As a by-product, we present an improved estimate of Higgs-mediated baryon decay branching ratios in minimal susy GUTs. We consider the possibility that a loss of quantum coherence may be observable in gravitationally induced baryon decay, but argue that this would be difficult to reconcile with successful experimental tests of quantum mechanics.