Gap in the black-body spectrum at low temperature

Abstract

We postulate that the U(1)$_Y$ factor of the Standard Model is an effective manifestation of SU(2) gauge dynamics being dynamically broken by nonperturbative effects. The modified propagation properties of the photon at low temperatures and momenta are computed. As a result of strong screening, the presence of a sizable gap in the spectral power of a black body at temperatures $T=5... 20 $K and for low frequencies is predicted: A table-top experiment should be able to discover this gap. If the gap is observed then the Standard Model's mechanism for electroweak symmetry-breaking is endangered by a contradiction with Big-Bang nucleosynthesis. Based on our results, we propose an explanation for the stability of cold, old, dilute, and large clouds of atomic hydrogen in between spiral arms of the outer galaxy.