What does "the Higgs Boson destroys itself" means?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of the Higgs boson and its decay process, exploring what it means for the Higgs boson to "destroy itself" and the implications of its decay on the Higgs field and other particles. The scope includes theoretical aspects of particle physics and the nature of particle interactions.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on the phrase "the Higgs boson destroys itself," indicating confusion about its meaning.
  • Another participant explains that the Higgs boson decays, similar to other particles like muons or tau leptons, but at a much faster rate.
  • A question is raised about what the Higgs boson decays into and the fate of particles interacting with the Higgs field after its decay.
  • A reference to a resource on Higgs boson decay modes is provided, suggesting that the Higgs field remains intact after the boson decays, using an analogy of water waves.
  • One participant expresses a desire to increase their knowledge before asking further questions and requests book recommendations for beginners in particle physics.
  • It is noted that the Higgs boson can decay into all fermions, with bottom quarks and tau leptons being the most likely outcomes.
  • Discussion includes the observation that the top quark is heavier than the Higgs boson, raising questions about energy conservation in decay processes.
  • A claim is made that an off-shell Higgs can decay into two top quarks, suggesting a larger decay rate than expected, though this has not been extensively studied.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the decay processes of the Higgs boson, with no clear consensus on the implications of these decays or the specifics of the decay products. Multiple competing views remain regarding the nature of the interactions and the particles involved.

Contextual Notes

Some statements depend on specific definitions and assumptions about particle interactions and decay processes, which are not fully resolved in the discussion.

Quds Akbar
Messages
124
Reaction score
6
I was reading a book that said the Higgs Boson destroys itself within trillionth of a second, I really did not understand this, so what does it mean?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It decays. Just as a muon or a tau lepton would but much much faster.
 
If the Higgs Boson decays, what does it change into? What happens to the particles which were previously interacting with the higgs field?
 
A Google search for "higgs boson decay modes" led me to this page:

http://www.particleadventure.org/the-higgs-boson-decays-into-other-particles.html

After a Higgs particle (which is an excitation of the Higgs field) decays, the Higgs field is still there. As a crude analogy, after a water wave dies out, the water is still there.
 
I think first increasing my knowledge in the subject and then putting up questions will be better.
Your answer has definitely given me a basic idea.
Could you tell me names of some good books on particle physics for beginners?
Thanks.
 
The Higgs boson can potentially decay to all fermions. It's just that the bottoms (from quarks) or taus (from leptons) are the most likely from each...
The bosons W,Z are fine.
 
ChrisVer said:
The Higgs boson can potentially decay to all fermions

The top quark is heavier than the Higgs ...
 
Orodruin said:
The top quark is heavier than the Higgs ...
yes... I considered it trivial... on shell tops are impossible from energy conservation.
 
An off-shell Higgs can decay to two top quarks. The rate is larger than one would naively expect. I don't think it has been studied yet, but it certainly has for on-shell WW and ZZ (ATLAS, CMS).
 

Similar threads

Undergrad New Constraints On The Higgs Boson Width
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
Undergrad Zero spin of Higgs boson? Is it really zero?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
Undergrad Does the Higgs Field Consist of Higgs Bosons?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
High School Why is the Higgs boson considered a boson?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
High School The relation between mass,higgs boson, and boson field?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Clarification of Higgs field, Higgs boson and gravitons
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
5K
Graduate CP Properties of the SM Higgs boson
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Undergrad Why Do We Need Multiple Higgs Bosons?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Does the Higgs boson only exist when created in LHC?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
High School What Role Does the Higgs Boson Play in the Universe's Inflation?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K