Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking and the Higgs Mechanism
Abstract
The Higgs sector of the standard model of particle physics plays a central role in the generation of all the masses of elementary particles known so far. Here we give a pedagogical introduction to all the elements leading ot the Higgs mechanism and the Higgs boson, starting with the spontaneous symmetry breaking of global symmetries and the Goldstone theorem. We then consider the case of gauge symmetries, i.e. the Higgs mechanism, and its application to the electroweak sector of the standard model. We close with a reflection on the possible open questions that the very introduction of the Higgs sector in the standard model posses.
Turn this paper into a full lesson
ArcXiv compiles a staged curriculum from this paper: 8-12 lessons across beginner → advanced, synthesised section guides, visuals, flashcards, a quiz, exercises, and on-demand deep dives per section. Grounded in the abstract, never invented.