Neutron-antineutron oscillations and SO (10) grand unification

Abstract

Within the framework of the survival hypothesis for Higgs scalars we comprehensively examine the following question: could there be neutron-antineutron oscillations in SO(10) grand unified theories which would be detectable in the forthcoming experiments? In the process of answering this, we critically discuss and supplement the existing knowledge of the relevant patterns of SO(10) symmetry breakdown in relation to the said oscillations. However, our conclusions are negative with the oscillation period being 10²⁵ years or higher.