Effect of strong magnetic field on the first-order electroweak phase transition

Abstract

The broken-symmetry electroweak vacuum is destabilized in the presence of a magnetic field stronger than a critical value. Such magnetic field may be generated in the phase transition and restore the symmetry inside the bubbles. A numerical calculation indicates that the first-order phase transition is delayed but may be completed for a sufficient low value of the Higgs mass unless the magnetic field is extremely high.

7 pages including 2 figures, uses epsf.sty; discussion regarding cosmological consequences (e.g. on baryogenesis) enlarged, some references added and a few misprints corrected