Electric charge and spontaneous symmetry breaking

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of electric charge concepts in the context of spontaneous symmetry breaking within a Lagrangian framework for complex scalar fields exhibiting U(1) local invariance. The participants clarify that the fields φ and φ* correspond to electric charges of +e and -e, respectively. Upon spontaneous symmetry breaking, the Goldstone bosons are absorbed, leading to a new Lagrangian that is quadratic in the vector potential A, which incorporates the Higgs field. The current operator is derived from the Lagrangian, indicating that the current is entirely carried by the Higgs field.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lagrangian mechanics in quantum field theory
  • Familiarity with U(1) local invariance and its implications
  • Knowledge of spontaneous symmetry breaking and its role in particle physics
  • Basic concepts of Goldstone bosons and Higgs mechanisms
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the current operator from Lagrangians in quantum field theory
  • Explore the role of Goldstone bosons in spontaneous symmetry breaking
  • Learn about the Higgs mechanism and its implications for particle mass generation
  • Investigate the mathematical formulation of complex scalar fields in quantum field theory
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, particularly those specializing in quantum field theory, particle physics researchers, and students seeking to understand the implications of electric charge in the context of spontaneous symmetry breaking.

Neitrino
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Hi,

If I have a Lagrangian of complex scalar field (just U(1) local invariance).
And I know that phi^star describes field with -e electric charge and phi describes field with e electric charge. How do I apply "charge issue" when I write Lagrnangian after spontaneous symmetry breaking in terms of Goldstone (which are afterwards adsorbed) and Higgs modes ?
They are charged not charged ? why how ? they become real fields and to have suppose electric charge fields shoud be complex...


Thanks a lot
 
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Silly question... ? :(
 
Neitrino said:
Silly question... ? :(

No, not at all, but you could be more specific.
I would proceed as follows:
The current operator is obtained as the functional derivative of the Lagrangian with respect to the magnetic vector potential A. And the new Lagrangian is quadratic in the vector potential which has eaten the Goldstone boson. I.e. if I rewrite the original field as
\phi=\phi_0 +\rho \exp(i\sigma) then the new lagrangian depends only on rho and \tilde{A}=A-\frac{1}{e} \rho \nabla \sigma, or L=e^2|\tilde{A}|^2+ \ldots hence the current should be something like e\tilde{A}. Thus the current is carried entirely by the Higgs field.
 

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