The discussion addresses the concept of the number of Higgs "particles" per unit volume, concluding that this quantity is not meaningful outside specific experimental conditions, such as those found within the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). It emphasizes the distinction between on-shell and off-shell Higgs bosons, noting that while particle number is ill-defined, the question of whether the Higgs field value remains constant in expanding space is valid. The average energy density of the Higgs field is suggested to be constant as the universe expands, akin to dark energy density.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, cosmologists, and students of particle physics seeking to deepen their understanding of the Higgs field and its implications in an expanding universe.
...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.mister i said:the number of Higgs "particles" per unit volume
There is also a distinction between interactions with on-shell Higgs bosons v. interactions with off-shell Higgs bosons (i.e. virtual Higgs bosons).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.
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.ohwilleke said:the question asking "Is the . . . Higgs field value [constant] . . ., even in expanding space?" Is not non-sensical on its face.
Or it's zero pretty much everywhere.PeterDonis said:...is not even a meaningful quantity.