1
$\begingroup$

As I understand it, the Higgs-Boson itself is unstable and has a transient existence. So, the particle detectors cannot detect it directly. Instead, the detectors register all the decay products and from the data, this decay process is reconstructed. If the observed decay products match a possible decay channel of the Higgs-Boson it indicates the existence of the Higgs-Boson.

From what I have read, the two important decay channels used to prove the existence of the Higgs-Boson are the 'two-photon event' and the 'four-lepton event'. My questions are the following:

  1. What is the exact decay process of the above two events and what exactly do the particles detectors detect? (or references for the same)

  2. Why did we look for these particular events as there apparently are other decay channels as well which we could look for? (I understand that these events have a higher probability of occurrence, I want to know why exactly.)

Improve this question
$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4
$\begingroup$

Within the standard model of physics , before its discovery the higgs could have any mass starting with ~100 GeV( a limit given by LEP), the upper limit depending on the theory used* .

Its decay channels are known and characterize it. This is a good representation.

What is the exact decay process of the above two events and what exactly do the particles detectors detect? (or references for the same)

The two photon events and the four lepton events have the distinction of decaying through only the weak interaction ( to first order) and do not involve the strong interaction which introduces a lot of indeterminacy. They are the "cleanest"decays.

Why did we look for these particular events as there apparently are other decay channels as well which we could look for? (I understand that these events have a higher probability of occurrence, I want to know why exactly.)

Establishing a resonance at these two channels gives enough confidence that what is found is the Higgs. They have looked and found a number of the expected channels,with the correct rate. Please note that these are not the most probable channels, rather the opposite. They are the "cleaner " channels.

Please read the links to get a better understanding.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
5
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks for the answer. I have a few more doubts: 1. Apart from the constraint given by the LEP, did we not have any theoretical constraints on the mass of the Higgs? If so, why? 2. What exactly do you mean by 'establishing a resonance'? (I'm sorry if this question is too basic.) Also, it would be a great help if you could point me towards some sources which are more rigorous. $\endgroup$
    – thunderbolt
    Commented Jun 17, 2019 at 5:03
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ You should read the article by pro, Matt Strassler to which I linked. He gives a good summary, The standard model theory does not give constraints of the mass of the Higgs. As all masses it is a parameter determined by experiment. A discussion is here royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsta.2011.0314 on how the parameters o the standard model are fixed. $\endgroup$
    – anna v
    Commented Jun 17, 2019 at 6:59
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Establishing a resonance: Taking the invariant mass of γγ one sees an enhancement at 126 . GeV with a statistical and systematic error. To establish it as a resonance one has to show that it is 5 standard deviations over the background. $\endgroup$
    – anna v
    Commented Jun 17, 2019 at 7:00
  • $\begingroup$ @annav At the beginning you mention that the Higgs could have any mass $\gt 100\,$GeV. But there must be a upper mass limit also, and this is $1\,$ TeV due to unitarity. $\endgroup$
    – BLAZE
    Commented Apr 24, 2022 at 4:32
  • $\begingroup$ @BLAZE thanks, edited $\endgroup$
    – anna v
    Commented Apr 24, 2022 at 6:54

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.