Research project Multi-matrix models, Higgs fields and mass ratios
The particles in the Standard Model of particle physics and their masses lack explanation. It is as if we had the periodic system of elements, but not its explanation in terms of quantum mechanics and interactions of protons, neutrons and electrons.
The strangest part of the Standard Model is the "Higgs sector". There are several cousins of the electron, of the quarks and of the photon, but there is no cousin of the Higgs particle in the model. There is, however, a field related to the Higgs particle, which influence the masses of all other particles.
The project recognises the central role of the Higgs field, and extends the Standard Model by Higgs field cousins, which could be found in the future. In addition to the primary motivation in the project, to explain mass ratios, multiple Higgs fields would affect early Universe cosmology and possibly help explain baryogenesis, how an excess of particles to anti-particles is generated.
In practice, the project has started with essential method development, for the determination of fixed points. It has led to a mathematical study of non-associative algebras, "numbers" with a product satisfying the commutative law, but not the associative law.
Project description
The project proposes a mechanism by which a multi-Higgs theory can determine all masses in relation to a reference mass, if the number of Higgs fields is big enough. Essentially, the self-interactions of the Higgs fields are stable at certain fixed points, which can be calculated. The fixed points can then determine the ratios of all masses by a mechanism called Coleman-Weinberg symmetry breakdown.
Technically, it is important to have as many handles to the dynamics of the multi-Higgs fields as possible. This can be achieved by varying the numbers of fields, M, and size of symmetry groups. The systematic dependencies of observables, eg in the large M limit, will disclose otherwise inaccessible clues to the dynamics.
Project members
Project managers
Bo Sundborg
Professor
Members
Nadia Flodgren
PhD Student
