Standard Model SU(2) singlets and doublets

In summary, the right handed quarks are singlets under SU(2) in the standard model. However, in left-right symmetric models, the standard model gauge group is extended to include another SU(2) group where the right-handed fermions are collected in doublets and the Higgs field becomes a bi-doublet.
  • #1
Trixie Mattel
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I know that for SU(2), weak interaction, in the standard model the right handed leptons are singlets, (and right handed neutrinos don't exist).

For right handed quarks are they singlets or doublets in the standard model. So is it (u d)R or is it just u(R) and d(R)
 
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  • #2
The right handed quarks are singlets under SU(2). You get quark masses by the Yukawa couplings associated with terms like
$$
\bar Q_L \Phi u_R
$$
where ##\Phi## is the Higgs field - an SU(2) doublet. If ##u_R## was in a doublet, terms like this would not be gauge invariant.
 
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  • #3
That being said, in left-right symmetric models, the standard model gauge group is extended by another SU(2) group usually denoted ##SU(2)_R##. You can then collect the right-handed fermions in doublets under this new gauge group and promote the Higgs field to a bi-doublet (i.e., a doublet under both SU(2) groups).
 

1. What is the Standard Model SU(2) singlet and doublet?

The Standard Model SU(2) singlet and doublet refer to the representation of particles in the Standard Model of particle physics. SU(2) is the mathematical group used to describe the symmetry of the weak nuclear force, and the singlet and doublet refer to the number of particles in a given representation. Singlets have only one particle, while doublets have two.

2. What are the properties of SU(2) singlets and doublets?

SU(2) singlets and doublets have different properties due to their different numbers of particles. Singlets are electrically neutral and do not interact with the weak nuclear force, while doublets have electric charge and interact with the weak nuclear force.

3. Can SU(2) singlets and doublets change into each other?

Yes, SU(2) singlets and doublets can transform into each other through the exchange of a W or Z boson, which mediates the weak nuclear force. This is known as weak isospin, and it is an important aspect of the Standard Model.

4. How are SU(2) singlets and doublets related to the Higgs mechanism?

The Higgs mechanism is responsible for giving particles their mass in the Standard Model. SU(2) doublets are essential for this mechanism, as they interact with the Higgs field and acquire mass through the Higgs mechanism. Singlets, on the other hand, do not interact with the Higgs field and remain massless.

5. What are some real-world applications of SU(2) singlets and doublets?

SU(2) singlets and doublets play a crucial role in many areas of physics, including particle physics, cosmology, and even technology. For example, the Higgs boson, which is responsible for giving particles their mass, is a SU(2) doublet. Understanding the properties of singlets and doublets is essential for understanding the fundamental building blocks of the universe and developing new technologies based on quantum mechanics.

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