On exact minimization of Higgs potentials

Abstract

Minimizing the Higgs potential is an essential task in any model involving Higgs bosons. Exact minimization methods proposed in the literature are based on the polynomial form of the potential. These methods will in general no longer work if loop contributions to the potential are taken into account. We present a method to keep the tree level global minimum unchanged in passing to the effective potential. We illustrate the method for the case of the Minimal Supersymmetric Model (MSSM).