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Origins of Mass | | Frank Wilczek
; | | Date: |
29 Jun 2012 | | Abstract: | Newtonian mechanics posited mass as a primary quality of matter, incapable of
further elucidation. We now see Newtonian mass as an emergent property. Most of
the mass of standard matter, by far, arises dynamically, from back-reaction of
the color gluon fields of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). The equations for
massless particles support extra symmetries - specifically scale, chiral, and
gauge symmetries. The consistency of the standard model relies on a high degree
of underlying gauge and chiral symmetry, so the observed non-zero masses of
many elementary particles ($W$ and $Z$ bosons, quarks, and leptons) requires
spontaneous symmetry breaking. Superconductivity is a prototype for spontaneous
symmetry breaking and for mass-generation, since photons acquire mass inside
superconductors. A conceptually similar but more intricate form of
all-pervasive (i.e. cosmic) superconductivity, in the context of the
electroweak standard model, gives us a successful, economical account of $W$
and $Z$ boson masses. It also allows a phenomenologically successful, though
profligate, accommodation of quark and lepton masses. The new cosmic
superconductivity, when implemented in a straightforward, minimal way, suggests
the existence of a remarkable new particle, the so-called Higgs particle. The
mass of the Higgs particle itself is not explained in the theory, but appears
as a free parameter. Earlier results suggested, and recent observations at the
Large Hadron Collider (LHC) may indicate, the actual existence of the Higgs
particle, with mass $m_H approx 125$ GeV. In addition to consolidating our
understanding of the origin of mass, a Higgs particle with $m_H approx 125$
GeV could provide an important clue to the future, as it is consistent with
expectations from supersymmetry. | | Source: | arXiv, 1206.7114 | | Services: | Forum | Review | PDF | Favorites | |
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