Quantum Numbers of W+ Interaction with Higgs Field

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the quantum numbers of the W+ boson during its interaction with the Higgs scalar field (h0). The h0 possesses quantum numbers: Isospin = 1/2, Hypercharge (Y) = 1, and Isospin3 = -1/2. The W+ boson does not have definite isospin or hypercharge due to its representation in the electroweak theory, specifically the adjoint representation of SU(2). The conservation of electric charge (Q), which is a combination of hypercharge and isospin, is emphasized as the key property during the coupling with the Higgs field.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electroweak theory and the Standard Model
  • Familiarity with the Higgs mechanism and spontaneous symmetry breaking
  • Knowledge of gauge bosons and their representations in SU(2) and U(1)
  • Proficiency in quantum field theory concepts and terminology
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the electroweak Lagrangian in its un-Higgsed form
  • Learn about the properties of gauge bosons in the context of SU(2) and U(1) symmetries
  • Explore the implications of spontaneous symmetry breaking in the Standard Model
  • Investigate the relationship between electric charge, hypercharge, and weak isospin
USEFUL FOR

Particle physicists, quantum field theorists, and students studying the electroweak interactions and the Higgs mechanism will benefit from this discussion.

Fabio Kopp
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I was studying the interaction of Higgs field with the Right-Handed particles, and I don't know how to determine the quantum numbers before and after the boson W+- interaction with the component of Higgs scalar Field (h0).
I am following the Halzen's book.
The h0 has the following quantum numbers:
Isospin = 1/2 ;
Y= 1
Isospin3=-1/2;
The example on the book is related with er (electron right handed) that after interaction with h0 becomes el(electron left handed). But for w+ interaction with h0, there is no reference to w+ quantum number.
 
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No there are no Left/Right W bosons because they are not in the chiral representation of SU(2) .They rather come from the adjoint representation of it, and so they have polarizations (instead of helicities).
Which quantum numbers are you looking for and for which coupling?
 
I'm looking for the Isospin, isospin(third component) and the hypercharge of gauge boson W+- before and after the interaction with Higgs scalar field (h0).
Because is there no mention of it in Halzen's book, Griffths'book and Greiner's book of electroweak interactions.
 
You should start with the construction of the electroweak Lagrangian in the un-Higgsed form to understand the symmetry. It's a chiral SU(2)##\times##U(1). The SU(2) is weak isospin and the U(1) weak hypercharge symmetry. The corresponding gauge bosons transform under global gauge transformations according to the adjoint representation of this gauge group.

After Higgsing, it's not so simple anymore. In a "handwaving way", not to be taken literally. You can understand the Higgs mechanism as spontaneous symmetry breaking of the local gauge symmetry. In the electroweak standard model it's broken to the electromagnetic U(1). The Z and the photon fields are mixtures of weak-isospin and weak hypercharge fields. Thus it's not so easy to get the right transformation properties under the original gauge transformations in terms of the W, Z, and em. fields without expressing them in terms of the original gauge fields.
 
I already done that study. But my doubt remains. Maybe this picture illustrate my doubt. Which are the quantum numbers(T,T^3,Y) of the gauge boson W before and after interaction with h0?.
1kUKcZo.png

This picture is from Quarks and Leptons (Halzen & Martin) chapter 15, section 4.
PS: T -> weak isospin;
T^3-> third component of weak isospin;
Y-> hypercharge.;
 
The W+- don't have definite isospin 3 neither hypercharge, they are combinations of W_{1,2}^\mu fields before the SSB...So in any case you don't have to care about their isospin when coupling to the Higgs. The only thing that should and does conserve, is the electric charge Q (which itself is a combination of the hypercharge and isospin component)
 
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ChrisVer said:
The W+- don't have definite isospin 3 neither hypercharge, they are combinations of W_{1,2}^\mu fields before the SSB...So in any case you don't have to care about their isospin when coupling to the Higgs. The only thing that should and does conserve, is the electric charge Q (which itself is a combination of the hypercharge and isospin component)
Thanks for the help!
 

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