My T-shirt and the Standard Model

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Lagrangian of the Standard Model of particle physics, specifically focusing on the roles of lines 2 and 4. Line 2 represents a kinetic term that describes interactions among leptons and quarks, while line 4 is an interaction term detailing the coupling of these particles with the Higgs field, incorporating Yukawa couplings. The conversation clarifies that neutrinos are massless within the Standard Model, and Fadeev-Popov ghosts are not included in this context. The importance of the covariant derivative for gauge invariance is emphasized, along with the concept of spontaneous symmetry breaking occurring in the gauge sector.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Standard Model of particle physics
  • Familiarity with Lagrangian mechanics
  • Knowledge of gauge invariance and covariant derivatives
  • Basic concepts of quantum field theory
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the role of Yukawa couplings in particle physics
  • Learn about gauge fixing and Fadeev-Popov ghosts
  • Explore the implications of spontaneous symmetry breaking in the Standard Model
  • Investigate the mathematical formulation of the covariant derivative in gauge theories
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, graduate students in particle physics, and anyone interested in the mathematical foundations of the Standard Model and quantum field theory.

mollwollfumble
Messages
34
Reaction score
5
This T-shirt I bought at a physics conference displays the following equation. It looks like the Lagrangian of the Standard Model of particle physics but I only recognise lines 1 (electroweak) and 3 (Higgs mechanism). What are lines 2 and 4 and what is/isn't included? eg. are quarks, gluons, Fadeev-Popov ghosts and Higgs ghosts all included? What about neutrino mass?
ParticlePhysics_zpsvus9erah.jpg
 

Attachments

  • ParticlePhysics_zpsvus9erah.jpg
    ParticlePhysics_zpsvus9erah.jpg
    63.6 KB · Views: 917
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: highflyyer
Physics news on Phys.org
Line ##2## is a so-called kinetic term that describes the interaction of the different leptons and quarks amongst themselves. A kinetic term is a term with the derivative ##\partial## or the covariant derivative ##D##.

Line ##4## is a so-called interaction term that describes the interaction of the leptons and quarks with the Higgs field. Interaction terms add richness to the theory. In this case, spontaneous symmetry breaking occurs within the interaction terms.

Let me know if you'd like more details. I do not know your background, but I presume you are a newbie to the standard model of particle physics, so I have given a high-level overview without going into the details of what each term in lines ##2## and ##4## mean.

P.S.: Gluon self-interaction is the third term in line ##1##. Neutrinos are massless in the standard model.
 
Last edited:
highflyyer said:
Line ##2## is a so-called kinetic term that describes the interaction of the different leptons and quarks amongst themselves. A kinetic term is a term with the derivative ##\partial## or the covariant derivative ##D##.

It is worth pointing out that the derivative needs to be covariant in order for the Lagrangian to be gauge invariant. The covariant derivative also contains a coupling to the gauge fields, which gives the minimal coupling of the fermions to the gauge fields.

Line ##4## is a so-called interaction term that describes the interaction of the leptons and quarks with the Higgs field. Interaction terms add richness to the theory. In this case, spontaneous symmetry breaking occurs within the interaction terms.

I would add that this particular type of interaction term are Yukawa couplings. It would also be more appropriate to say that the spontaneous symmetry breaking occurs in the gauge sector and does not necessarily have anything to do with the Yukawa couplings to fermions. However, upon SSB, the Yukawa couplings give rise to mass terms for the fermions.

Let me know if you'd like more details. I do not know your background, but I presume you are a newbie to the standard model of particle physics, so I have given a high-level overview without going into the details of what each term in lines ##2## and ##4## mean.

This is what the thread level indicator is for. In this case the A would mean that the reader has an understanding of the topic at graduate student level or higher. I believe the OP has used it incorrectly. (It is supposed to reflect the OP's level of knowledge, not the level of the topic itself.)

P.S.: Gluon self-interaction is the third term in line ##1##. Neutrinos are massless in the standard model.

It is worth pointing out that the gauge part contains both kinetic and self-interaction terms for all gauge fields.

mollwollfumble said:
Fadeev-Popov ghosts and Higgs ghosts all included?
There are no ghosts included here. They appear once you look at gauge fixing and integrating out the redundant degrees of freedom that comes with gauge transformations.

mollwollfumble said:
What about neutrino mass?
Indeed, as stated in #2, there are no neutrino masses in the standard model and consequently not in your Lagrangian.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: highflyyer
Orodruin said:
It is worth pointing out that the derivative needs to be covariant in order for the Lagrangian to be gauge invariant. The covariant derivative also contains a coupling to the gauge fields, which gives the minimal coupling of the fermions to the gauge fields.
I would add that this particular type of interaction term are Yukawa couplings. It would also be more appropriate to say that the spontaneous symmetry breaking occurs in the gauge sector and does not necessarily have anything to do with the Yukawa couplings to fermions. However, upon SSB, the Yukawa couplings give rise to mass terms for the fermions.
This is what the thread level indicator is for. In this case the A would mean that the reader has an understanding of the topic at graduate student level or higher. I believe the OP has used it incorrectly. (It is supposed to reflect the OP's level of knowledge, not the level of the topic itself.)
It is worth pointing out that the gauge part contains both kinetic and self-interaction terms for all gauge fields.There are no ghosts included here. They appear once you look at gauge fixing and integrating out the redundant degrees of freedom that comes with gauge transformations.Indeed, as stated in #2, there are no neutrino masses in the standard model and consequently not in your Lagrangian.

Thank you for the clarification. I was not fully qualified to reply to the post.
 
Brilliant answers, both. Thank you.

> I do not know your background, but I presume you are a newbie to the standard model of particle physics, so I have given a high-level overview without going into the details of what each term means.

Yes, I'm a complete novice when it comes to the standard model, my expertise is Navier-Stokes and I'm self taught in quantum field theory.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
5K
Replies
11
Views
31K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K