I Number of Higgs "particles" per unit volume

mister i
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Is the number of Higgs "particles" per unit volume constant?
Is the number of Higgs "particles" per unit volume constant (or Higgs field value), even in expanding space?
 
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mister i said:
the number of Higgs "particles" per unit volume
...is not even a meaningful quantity. The Higgs field is not even in a state with a meaningful "particle number" except in special cases like the interior of the LHC during an experimental run.
 
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PeterDonis said:
...is not even a meaningful quantity. The Higgs field is not even in a state with a meaningful "particle number" except in special cases like the interior of the LHC during an experimental run.
There is also a distinction between interactions with on-shell Higgs bosons v. interactions with off-shell Higgs bosons (i.e. virtual Higgs bosons).

But, while the particle part of the question is ill-posed, the question asking "Is the . . . Higgs field value [constant] . . ., even in expanding space?" Is not non-sensical on its face.
 
ohwilleke said:
the question asking "Is the . . . Higgs field value [constant] . . ., even in expanding space?" Is not non-sensical on its face.
Even the "Higgs field value" is problematic since a quantum field is not a number, it's an operator. But asking about something like the average energy density of the Higgs field would be reasonable. As far as I know that is constant as the universe expands, like dark energy density.
 
PeterDonis said:
...is not even a meaningful quantity.
Or it's zero pretty much everywhere.

Add "scare quotes" as necessary.
 
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