Standard Model SU(2) singlets and doublets

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SUMMARY

In the Standard Model, right-handed quarks are singlets under SU(2), meaning they exist as individual particles rather than in doublets. The right-handed leptons are also singlets, and right-handed neutrinos do not exist. Quark masses arise from Yukawa couplings involving the Higgs field, which is an SU(2) doublet. In left-right symmetric models, the gauge group is extended to include an additional SU(2) group, allowing right-handed fermions to be organized into doublets and promoting the Higgs field to a bi-doublet.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of SU(2) gauge theory
  • Familiarity with the Standard Model of particle physics
  • Knowledge of Yukawa couplings and their role in mass generation
  • Concept of left-right symmetric models in particle physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of SU(2) gauge symmetry in particle interactions
  • Study the role of the Higgs field in mass generation for fermions
  • Explore left-right symmetric models and their extensions to the Standard Model
  • Learn about bi-doublets and their significance in gauge theories
USEFUL FOR

Particle physicists, theoretical physicists, and students studying the Standard Model and gauge theories will benefit from this discussion.

Trixie Mattel
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I know that for SU(2), weak interaction, in the standard model the right handed leptons are singlets, (and right handed neutrinos don't exist).

For right handed quarks are they singlets or doublets in the standard model. So is it (u d)R or is it just u(R) and d(R)
 
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The right handed quarks are singlets under SU(2). You get quark masses by the Yukawa couplings associated with terms like
$$
\bar Q_L \Phi u_R
$$
where ##\Phi## is the Higgs field - an SU(2) doublet. If ##u_R## was in a doublet, terms like this would not be gauge invariant.
 
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That being said, in left-right symmetric models, the standard model gauge group is extended by another SU(2) group usually denoted ##SU(2)_R##. You can then collect the right-handed fermions in doublets under this new gauge group and promote the Higgs field to a bi-doublet (i.e., a doublet under both SU(2) groups).
 

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