Constraints on Baryogenesis from the Decay of Superstring Axions

Abstract

We calculate the dilution of the baryon-to-photon ratio by the decay of superstring axions. We find that the dilution is of the order of $10^7$. We review several models of baryogenesis and show that most of them can not tolerate such a large dilution. In particular, only one current model of electroweak baryogenesis possibly survives. The Affleck-Dine mechanism in SUSY GUTs is very robust and the dilution by axions could contribute to the dilution required in these models. Baryogenesis scenarios involving topological defects and black hole evaporation are also capable of producing a sufficiently large baryon asymmetry.