How Do Higgs Bosons Influence the Theory of Everything?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential implications of the Higgs boson for the Theory of Everything, particularly in relation to how elementary particles acquire mass. Participants explore the significance of the Higgs mechanism within quantum field theory (QFT) and its impact on alternative theories of mass generation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the detection of Higgs bosons would confirm how elementary particles acquire mass, marking a significant validation of QFT.
  • Others argue that the Higgs mechanism merely shifts the explanation of mass to another particle, without simplifying the underlying problem of mass generation.
  • A participant mentions that confirming the Higgs mechanism could eliminate alternative mass generation theories, such as condensation mechanisms, technicolor, and topcolor.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of the top quark's mass in relation to the Higgs mechanism and its role in symmetry breaking.
  • Some participants express unfamiliarity with concepts like technicolor and topcolor, indicating a need for clarification on these theories.
  • One participant provides a brief explanation of technicolor as an attempt to use an additional interaction to justify spontaneous symmetry breaking, noting its competition with Higgs-related theories.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the Higgs mechanism, with some supporting its validation of QFT while others question its explanatory power. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the overall impact of the Higgs boson on alternative theories of mass generation.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity and competition among various theories of mass generation, highlighting the need for further research into the coupling of the Higgs boson with other particles. There is a lack of consensus on the implications of confirming the Higgs mechanism for alternative theories.

cicsgeek
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Hi,


In what way the theorethical Higgs bosons (if experimentally detected) will contribute to the Theory of Everything ?

Thanks
 
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the first and foremost verification would be that we actually know how elementary particles acquire their mass. It would be a hughe victory for the validity of QFT

marlon
 
Do you mean string theory when you ask about the theory of everything? Because the standard model of particle physics is not a theory of everything by any means.
 
Thanks for the reply.
 
Higgs mechanism

marlon said:
the first and foremost verification would be that we actually know how elementary particles acquire their mass. It would be a hughe victory for the validity of QFT

marlon


I think this is debatable. The Higgs mechanism just pushes the burden of explanation for mass, to another particle. It doesn't simplify the problem. QFT doesn't say what mechanism governs how higgs bosons stick to particles and give different "masses".

http://www.calphysics.org/articles/newscientist.html

~Maaneli
 
Yep Maaneli, after all, we are left to research the coupling of the Higgs with each particle. Still, it will wipe some alternative mechanism and clear the path for this research.
 
arivero said:
Still, it will wipe some alternative mechanism and clear the path for this research.


Hi,

what exactly do you mean by this ?

regards
marlon
 
marlon said:
Hi,

what exactly do you mean by this ?

regards
marlon

I mean, if the Higgs mechanism is confirmed, other mechanisms are discarded, say condensation mechanisms, technicolor, topcolor...

The discard of top-based mechanisms is particularly disturbing because the top is there, sitting at 175 GeV, and one would expect it to have a role in the breaking mechanism.
 
arivero said:
I mean, if the Higgs mechanism is confirmed, other mechanisms are discarded, say condensation mechanisms, technicolor, topcolor...

The discard of top-based mechanisms is particularly disturbing because the top is there, sitting at 175 GeV, and one would expect it to have a role in the breaking mechanism.


Thanks

these topics are not very familiar to me, honestly.

what is technicolor or topcolor ?

marlon
 
  • #10
marlon said:
Thanks

these topics are not very familiar to me, honestly.

what is technicolor or topcolor ?

marlon

Are no familiar to nobody (well, perhaps some experts), but well, there exist, and the particle data group does searches for such mechanisms, and there are publications listed in spires and the arxiv. Technicolor was a try of using an extra interaction similar to color but scaled up so it was able to justify the spontaneus symmetry breaking. When the top was found at a high scale, some people realized that the top/antitop could be used with the same goals. There are some variants of these theories, in competition with the Higgs ideas.
 

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