Spin 0 Particles: Tachyon & Beyond

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties and existence of spin-0 particles, specifically tachyons and scalar field particles, exploring theoretical implications and challenges related to their characteristics and behaviors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that tachyons have a spin of 0, while others question the existence of tachyons altogether, noting that they have not been observed.
  • Participants mention that scalar field particles, such as the Higgs boson, also have spin zero, but highlight that these are hypothetical until observed.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of tachyons, with some suggesting that a spin-1/2 or spin-1 tachyon is equally plausible as a spin-0 tachyon.
  • One participant raises a question about whether a spin-1/2 tachyon would break Lorentz symmetry, leading to a debate on the implications of tachyons on Lorentz invariance.
  • Another participant argues that tachyons do not necessarily break Lorentz invariance but may cause issues with causality.
  • It is noted that while tachyons can exist in theoretical frameworks, complications arise when they couple with ordinary matter.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the existence and implications of tachyons, with no consensus reached on their properties or the effects on Lorentz symmetry.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on the definitions of tachyons and scalar field particles, and the discussion includes unresolved questions about the implications of tachyons on fundamental symmetries in physics.

Chaos' lil bro Order
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The tachyon has a spin of 0, does any other particle have a spin of 0?
 
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Any scalar field particle, like the Higgs, has spin zero. Of course, we've not observed one (yet) so these are hypothetical particles.
 
cristo said:
Any scalar field particle, like the Higgs, has spin zero. Of course, we've not observed one (yet) so these are hypothetical particles.

What is a "scalar field particle"?
 
Chaos' lil bro Order said:
The tachyon has a spin of 0

I have trouble with this. First, nobody has seen a tachyon. Second, a spin-1/2 or spin-1 tachyon is no more and no less likely than a spin-0 tachyon.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
I have trouble with this. First, nobody has seen a tachyon. Second, a spin-1/2 or spin-1 tachyon is no more and no less likely than a spin-0 tachyon.
This I think refers to the tachyon "problem" in string theories, which is the lowest angular momentum particle along the trajectory (so is probably a scalar :rolleyes:).
 
Vanadium 50 said:
I have trouble with this. First, nobody has seen a tachyon. Second, a spin-1/2 or spin-1 tachyon is no more and no less likely than a spin-0 tachyon.

This may be a stupid question, but would a spin 1/2 tachyon break the Lorentz symmetry?
 
Ack. Yes. Stupid questions. Tachyons break Lorentz invariance anyway.

Dammit Ben...THINK!
 
BenTheMan said:
Ack. Yes. Stupid questions. Tachyons break Lorentz invariance anyway.

Dammit Ben...THINK!

Maybe *I* am the one not thinking but I don't see that a tachyon breaks Lorentz invariance. They may give problems with causality and other stuff but I don't think they break Lorentz invariance (if they do, in what way?) For example, if they travel faster than c in one frame, that will be the case in all frames. Maybe I am missing something obvious. I have never worked much with theories with tachyons but I thougth they were always written in a Lorentz inavraint form.
 
You can have as many tachyons in your theory as you like. It's only when you allow them to couple to ordinary matter that all hell breaks loose in your theory. But sterile tachyons are fine.
 

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