Spin-0 Particles: Photon & Antiphoton Same?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of spin-0 particles, specifically questioning whether photons and antiphotons are the same, and exploring the properties of other particles such as gluons and Higgs bosons. The scope includes theoretical aspects of particle physics and the implications of particle properties in the Standard Model.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if photons and antiphotons are the same for all spin-0 particles.
  • Another participant clarifies that photons are spin-1 particles, not spin-0.
  • A participant notes that the Standard Model Higgs is its own antiparticle, while gluons carry color charge and their antiparticles are defined by different color assignments.
  • There is a discussion about whether assigning color to gluons is merely a convenience, with references to the SU(3) group and its generators.
  • One participant explains that from the possible color-anticolor mixtures, a singlet state can be constructed that does not interact with others, leading to the conclusion that gluons have 8 color states instead of 9.
  • A participant mentions that spin-0 particles need not be their own antiparticles, citing supersymmetric models that predict charged Higgs particles as antiparticles of each other.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of photons and antiphotons, the properties of gluons, and the characteristics of spin-0 particles. There is no consensus on whether photons and antiphotons are the same or on the implications of color charge in gluons.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about particle properties and the definitions of antiparticles, which may not be universally agreed upon. The implications of supersymmetry and the nature of color charge in gluons are also points of contention.

Black Integra
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I've heard that photon and antiphoton is the same thing. Is this true for all of those spin-0 particles? I'm so curious.
 
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The photon is spin 1
 
The Standard Model Higgs is its own antiparticle. Gluons carry color charge. An 'anti-gluon' is another gluon, but with a different color. In fact, gluons carry two color charges. For example a gluon might be (blue, anti-red). Its antiparticle would be (red, anti-blue).
 
Thanks everyone

@Penguin: my fault
 
Is assigning a color (or two colors) to a gluon a convenience? Don't gluons carry one of the 8 generator matrices of SU(3)?
 
robert2734 said:
Is assigning a color (or two colors) to a gluon a convenience? Don't gluons carry one of the 8 generator matrices of SU(3)?

The indices on the SU(3) generators are color, so each 3x3 matrix naturally has a color and anticolor assigned to it.
 
From the 9 possible color-anticolor mixtures, one can construct a singlet "colorless" state that does not interact with the others. That is why gluons have 8 and not 9 color states.

Spin is a sort of built-in angular momentum, angular momentum carried by field geometry. You can see photon spin in circular polarization.

Spin-0 particles need not be their antiparticles. Supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model predict charged Higgs particles, and the positive and negative ones are each other's antiparticles.
 

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