Is the Higgs Mass Linked to Vacuum Instability?

In summary, there has been a recent AAAS talk by Joe Lykken discussing vacuum instability based on the mass of the Higgs. However, there is limited information available on the topic, with only popularized versions being reported by news outlets. Various sources, including a paper linked in a Physics Forums post, provide more details on the subject.
  • #1
bcrowell
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Insights Author
Gold Member
6,724
429
Various news outlets are reporting a AAAS talk by Joe Lykken which appears to be about vacuum instability based on the mass of the Higgs. Frustratingly, there appears to be no info on the web apart from these crap popularizations. Can anyone provide any insight?

The best info I have is the following:

http://news.discovery.com/space/higgs-boson-discovery-universe-end-130219.htm
http://arstechnica.com/science/2013/02/finding-the-higgs-good-news-finding-its-mass-not-so-good/
http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/31291/measured-higgs-mass-and-vacuum-stability
http://arxiv.org/abs/1301.2846
 
Physics news on Phys.org

What is the Higgs?

The Higgs is a subatomic particle that was first theorized in the 1960s by physicist Peter Higgs. It is responsible for giving particles their mass and is a crucial part of the Standard Model of particle physics.

What is vacuum instability?

Vacuum instability is a phenomenon in which the vacuum of space, which is thought to be stable, can suddenly collapse into a lower energy state. This can happen due to the presence of high-energy particles, such as the Higgs, and can lead to significant changes in the fundamental laws of physics.

Why is the Higgs important in relation to vacuum instability?

The Higgs is important in relation to vacuum instability because it is a high-energy particle that can potentially trigger the collapse of the vacuum. Its role in giving particles their mass also makes it a key player in the stability of the vacuum and the fundamental laws of physics.

What are the potential consequences of vacuum instability?

If vacuum instability were to occur, it could lead to significant changes in the fundamental laws of physics, potentially making our current understanding of the universe obsolete. It could also have practical consequences, such as the destabilization of matter and the breakdown of the universe as we know it.

Is vacuum instability a proven phenomenon?

No, vacuum instability is still a theoretical concept and has not been proven to occur. However, some experiments, such as the Large Hadron Collider, are actively searching for evidence of vacuum instability and its potential effects on the universe.

Similar threads

Higgs Boson = Universe is False Vacuum?
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
1
Views
5K
Primordial black holes refute Higgs vacuum decay?
    • Beyond the Standard Models
Replies
9
Views
3K
125 GeV Higgs and Vacuum Instability
    • Beyond the Standard Models
Replies
10
Views
13K
Supersymmetry vs minimalism: what is the Higgs mass telling us?
    • Beyond the Standard Models
Replies
1
Views
3K
The Higgs Boson mass prediction for LHC: string theory's prediction v.s preon theory
    • Beyond the Standard Models
Replies
6
Views
8K
What colors and attributes could alien flora & fauna have?
    • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
15
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top