How can gauge symmetry be broken?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of gauge symmetry breaking, specifically in relation to the Higgs mechanism. Participants highlight the confusion surrounding spontaneous symmetry breaking and the implications of gauge fixing on gauge symmetry. It is established that choosing a gauge does not preserve gauge symmetry, as it leads to a ground state that is not gauge invariant. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding how these concepts interrelate within the framework of quantum field theory.

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  • Understanding of gauge symmetry and invariance
  • Familiarity with the Higgs mechanism in particle physics
  • Knowledge of spontaneous symmetry breaking
  • Basic concepts of quantum field theory
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  • Research the implications of gauge fixing in quantum field theory
  • Study the role of the Higgs boson in breaking gauge symmetry
  • Explore examples of spontaneous symmetry breaking in various physical systems
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Physicists, students of theoretical physics, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of gauge theories and the Higgs mechanism.

Joker93
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Hello,
I was reading about the Higgs mechanism and I must say that I did not really follow the argument of how the gauge symmetry is broken.
I think that my problem has to do with the more general question of how does a gauge symmetry get broken in general?
Thanks!
 
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Your question is very general. Is there something particular that you do not understand with spontaneous symmetry breaking?
 
Orodruin said:
Your question is very general. Is there something particular that you do not understand with spontaneous symmetry breaking?
I think that I do not underatand how gauge symmetry can break in general.
If this is too general, let me ask you something else:
If we choose a gauge(gauge fixing), does this break gauge symmetry? Some things that I have read point out to this although it does not make much sense to me since gauge symmetry is gauge invariance(I choose a gauge and nothing changes).

EDIT: I have found an answer of yours in this post: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/why-must-the-higgs-gauge-symmetry-be-broken.846533/
and you stated that "This choice is not going to respect gauge symmetry and therefore the ground state is not gauge invariant." where the choice you referred to has to do with the choice of a ground state. What I don't understand is why doesn't the "new" ground state respect gauge symmetry.
 
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