Mass generation

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In theoretical physics, a mass generation mechanism is a theory that describes the origin of mass from the most fundamental laws of physics. Physicists have proposed a number of models that advocate different views of the origin of mass. The problem is complicated because the primary role of mass is to mediate gravitational interaction between bodies, and no theory of gravitational interaction reconciles with the currently popular Standard Model of particle physics.

Contents

There are two types of mass generation models: gravity-free models and models that involve gravity.

Background

Electroweak theory and the Standard Model

The Higgs mechanism is based on a symmetry-breaking scalar field potential, such as the quartic. The Standard Model uses this mechanism as part of the Glashow–Weinberg–Salam model to unify electromagnetic and weak interactions. This model was one of several that predicted the existence of the scalar Higgs boson.

Gravity-free models

In these theories, as in the Standard Model itself, the gravitational interaction either is not involved or does not play a crucial role.

Technicolor

Technicolor models break electroweak symmetry through gauge interactions, which were originally modeled on quantum chromodynamics. [1] [2] [ further explanation needed ]

Coleman-Weinberg mechanism

Coleman–Weinberg mechanism generates mass through spontaneous symmetry breaking. [3]

Other theories

Gravitational models

Related Research Articles

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