Singlets and Doublets in SU(2)

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In summary, SU(2) is a mathematical group used in physics to describe the behavior of particles. Singlets and doublets are two types of representations in SU(2) that refer to the number of components in the representation. They play a crucial role in particle physics as they classify and describe the properties of fundamental particles. In SU(2), singlets and doublets can interact through gauge bosons and can also be combined to form larger representations.
  • #1
ryanwilk
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Hi, this is probably very simple.

1) What is the product of two singlets?
2) What is the product of two singlets and a doublet?

It looks like (2) breaks SU(2) symmetry and (1) doesn't, but I don't really understand why =/.

Any help would be appreciated,

Thanks!
 
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  • #2
Any representation remains the same when taking a product of it and a singlet


1) A singlet

2) A doublet

any non singlet which has a non zero expectation value in the vacuum of the theory breaks the SU(2) symmetry.
 

FAQ: Singlets and Doublets in SU(2)

What is SU(2)?

SU(2) is a mathematical group called the special unitary group of degree 2, which is used in physics to describe the behavior of fundamental particles.

What are singlets and doublets in SU(2)?

Singlets and doublets are two types of representations of SU(2). They refer to the number of components that make up the representation, with singlets having one component and doublets having two.

What is the significance of singlets and doublets in particle physics?

Singlets and doublets play a crucial role in particle physics as they are used to classify and describe the properties of fundamental particles, such as quarks and leptons.

How do singlets and doublets interact with each other in SU(2)?

In SU(2), singlets and doublets can interact with each other through the exchange of particles called gauge bosons, which are responsible for the fundamental forces of nature.

Can singlets and doublets be combined to form larger representations in SU(2)?

Yes, singlets and doublets can be combined to form larger representations, such as triplets and quadruplets, which have three and four components respectively.

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