open_problems:hierarchy_puzzle
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open_problems:hierarchy_puzzle [2018/04/08 17:24] georgefarr |
open_problems:hierarchy_puzzle [2020/03/20 19:00] (current) 2603:3005:52b:4000:999c:6ae1:b166:d514 [Intuitive] |
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| - | According to the Higgs mechanism, space is filled with a uniform density of Higgs substance. But because of the complexity of the quantum vacuum, the calm sea of Higgs substance is continually disturbed by the rapid production and annihilation of all sorts of virtual particles. The constant buzz of virtual particles affects the density of the space-filling Higgs substance. Just as ghosts flickering in and out of the netherworld leave vivid memories in the minds of impressionable indi- viduals, so virtual particles leave their indelible imprint in the Higgs substance. The swirling of virtual particles effectively gives a gigantic contribution to the density of the Higgs substance, which becomes extremely thick. | + | According to the Higgs mechanism, space is filled with a uniform density of Higgs substance. But because of the complexity of the quantum vacuum, the calm sea of Higgs substance is continually disturbed by the rapid production and annihilation of all sorts of virtual particles. The constant buzz of virtual particles affects the density of the space-filling Higgs substance. Just as ghosts flickering in and out of the netherworld leave vivid memories in the minds of impressionable individuals, so virtual particles leave their indelible imprint in the Higgs substance. The swirling of virtual particles effectively gives a gigantic contribution to the density of the Higgs substance, which becomes extremely thick. |
| Theoretical calculations show that this contribution to the density of the Higgs substance is proportional to the maximum energy carried by virtual particles. Since virtual particles can carry huge amounts of energy, the molasses-like Higgs substance becomes thicker than mud or even as hard as rock when quantum-mechanical effects are taken into account. Ordinary particles moving inside this medium should feel a tremendous resistance or, in more precise physical terms, should acquire enormous masses. Calculations based on a simple extrapolation of the Standard Model all the way down to the Planck length yield the result that electrons should be one million billion times more massive than what we observe – as heavy as prokaryote bacteria. But since electrons are obviously not as heavy as bacteria, we are confronted with a puzzle: why is the Higgs substance so dilute in spite of the natural tendency of virtual particles to make it grow thicker? | Theoretical calculations show that this contribution to the density of the Higgs substance is proportional to the maximum energy carried by virtual particles. Since virtual particles can carry huge amounts of energy, the molasses-like Higgs substance becomes thicker than mud or even as hard as rock when quantum-mechanical effects are taken into account. Ordinary particles moving inside this medium should feel a tremendous resistance or, in more precise physical terms, should acquire enormous masses. Calculations based on a simple extrapolation of the Standard Model all the way down to the Planck length yield the result that electrons should be one million billion times more massive than what we observe – as heavy as prokaryote bacteria. But since electrons are obviously not as heavy as bacteria, we are confronted with a puzzle: why is the Higgs substance so dilute in spite of the natural tendency of virtual particles to make it grow thicker? | ||
| This dilemma is usually referred to as the naturalness problem. The density of the Higgs substance determines how far the W and Z particles can propagate the weak force; in other words, it determines the weak length. Therefore, when virtual particles make the Higgs substance thicker, they effectively make the weak length shorter. The naturalness problem then refers to the conflict between, on one side, the tendency of virtual particles to make the weak length as small as the Planck length and, on the other side, the observation that the two length scales differ by the enormous factor of 1017. Let us rephrase the problem with an analogy. | This dilemma is usually referred to as the naturalness problem. The density of the Higgs substance determines how far the W and Z particles can propagate the weak force; in other words, it determines the weak length. Therefore, when virtual particles make the Higgs substance thicker, they effectively make the weak length shorter. The naturalness problem then refers to the conflict between, on one side, the tendency of virtual particles to make the weak length as small as the Planck length and, on the other side, the observation that the two length scales differ by the enormous factor of 1017. Let us rephrase the problem with an analogy. | ||
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| * [[https://arxiv.org/abs/0801.2562|Naturally Speaking: The Naturalness Criterion and Physics at the LHC]] by G.F. Giudice | * [[https://arxiv.org/abs/0801.2562|Naturally Speaking: The Naturalness Criterion and Physics at the LHC]] by G.F. Giudice | ||
| * http://syymmetries.blogspot.de/2017/06/naturalness-pragmatists-guide.html | * http://syymmetries.blogspot.de/2017/06/naturalness-pragmatists-guide.html | ||
| + | * http://jakobschwichtenberg.com/hierarchy-problem/ | ||
| <tabbox Abstract> | <tabbox Abstract> | ||
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