Higgs field at the event horizon

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of the Higgs field, particularly its vacuum expectation value (vev), in relation to black holes and the mass of particles such as electrons and protons. Participants explore the nature of the Higgs field, its interaction with black holes, and the mechanism by which it imparts mass to particles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a non-zero vacuum expectation of the Higgs field implies that black holes should be ingesting Higgs particles at a high rate.
  • Another participant clarifies that the Higgs field is a background field without Higgs bosons present, suggesting that black holes do not affect the Higgs field.
  • A participant raises a question about how the Higgs field imparts mass to particles if there are no Higgs particles in empty space, proposing the idea of virtual Higgs particles influencing nearby particles.
  • It is noted that a Higgs vacuum expectation value (vev) is distinct from a Higgs particle, which is described as an excitation of the Higgs field with definite momentum.
  • Several participants express confusion regarding the term "vev," indicating a need for clarification.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the implications of the Higgs field in relation to black holes and particle mass. Multiple viewpoints and questions remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in understanding the relationship between the Higgs field and black holes, particularly regarding the definitions and implications of the vacuum expectation value and the nature of Higgs particles.

Antiphon
Messages
1,685
Reaction score
4
If the postulated Higgs field has a non-zero vacuum expectation, shouldn't the typical black hole be ingesting Higgs particles at an alarming rate?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The Higgs field is a background field and does not contain any Higgs bosons. It is the 'vacuum state' for Higgs bosons, i.e. the state with occupation number zero. A black hole has no effect on it, and vice versa.
 
That makes sense of course. So then if there are no Higgs particles in empty space, how do They impart mass to the typical particleslike the electron or proton? Is it via virtual Higgs particles in the immediate vicinity of say the electron?
 
A Higgs vev is not the same thing as a Higgs particle, which is an excitation of the Higgs field of definite momentum.
 
Yes, that makes sense too. (What's a vev?)
 
Antiphon said:
Yes, that makes sense too. (What's a vev?)

vacuum expectation value
 

Similar threads

Graduate Timelike curves on event horizon
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad Relational event horizons?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Undergrad Black Holes: Event Horizon Causally Disconnected?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
High School Is crossing a black hole's event horizon possible?
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
9K
Undergrad Falling through the event horizon of an evaporating black hole
  • · Replies 51 ·
2
Replies
51
Views
6K
Undergrad I don't see how a black hole's event horizon can be crossed
  • · Replies 73 ·
3
Replies
73
Views
4K
Undergrad Do any real macroscopic black holes have a singularity?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
High School Theories about light and time near a black hole
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
High School Lowering a rope through the event horizon
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Undergrad Black hole formation and infinite redshift
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K