Sp(2N) Gauge Theories and the Composite Higgs model
Lead Research Organisation:
Swansea University
Department Name: College of Science
Abstract
The Higgs boson, whose discovery was confirmed in July 2012, is responsible for the spontaneous symmetry breaking of the Electroweak interactions causing the W and Z bosons to acquire mass. The Higgs particle itself has a mass of 125 GeV; this is much lower than one would expect with the Standard Model. One resolution to this problem is that the Higgs is not a fundamental particle but is instead made of smaller constituents (similar to the way hadrons are made up of quarks). This can be modeled as an Sp(2N) gauge field that is coupled to fermionic matter. The aim of this project is to determine the bound states of the theory, its low energy behaviour and to simulate the theory on the lattice. The results from the latter will be extrapolated to the continuum limit.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST/R505158/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/12/2021 | |||
| 1949127 | Studentship | ST/R505158/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2021 | Jack Holligan |
| Description | The behaviour of Yang-Mills theory based on the Symplectic gauge groups have been explored numerically. The mass spectrum of glueballs (bound states of the gauge bosons) has been examined as well as the mass spectrum of mesons in the quenched approximation. |
| Exploitation Route | Currently, the examination of the quenched meson spectrum is being extended to large symplectic groups as well as in the large-N limit. |
| Sectors | Education,Other |
| Description | Monthly stipend paid to me by the College of Science. |
| Amount | £22,500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Swansea University |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2017 |
| End | 03/2021 |
| Description | Durham |
| Organisation | Durham University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This is a six month placement working with AI and Machine Learning. |
| Collaborator Contribution | None. This is an individual placement running from October 2019-April 2020. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Swansea. |
| Organisation | Swansea University |
| Department | College of Science |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | My job as a PhD student is to carry out numerical calculations on Supercomputing Wales (SCW). I have also been responsible for presenting the collaboration's work at the 2019 Lattice Symposium in Wuhan. A write up of same was included in Proceedings of Science 2020 (see below). |
| Collaborator Contribution | I have received access to Supercomputing Wales (SCW) which has allowed me to carry out the numerical calculations necessary for the research. I have also received training and assistance from my supervisors in coding. Before I began, my knowledge and experience of coding was quite limited but it has since grown a great deal. I have also been offered training in extra curricular skills such as publishing research; lectures in courses both relevant and accessory to my research. |
| Impact | Lattice Field Theory. "Sp(2N) Yang-Mills towards large N". Published in Proceedings of Science 2020 as well as arXiv (1912.09788). |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | 2019 Lattice Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This is a yearly conference for people carrying out research in lattice field theory. Several talks are given by its attendees on their research in the topic. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |