Can a W+ boson couple to a W- boson?

In summary: Higgs field in the phi.In summary, the interaction between a W+ boson and a W- boson can be represented in the Lagrangian density after electroweak symmetry breaking. These interactions are proportional to the Higgs vev and originate from the covariant derivative terms of the Higgs field. They can be evaluated using perturbation theory and are represented in the Lagrangian by the term -1/4F_{\mu \nu}^bF^{\mu \nu}_b. In addition to Higgs decay and production, these interactions can also occur in ZWW, ZZWW, and WWWW couplings. The Lagrangian density for this interaction comes from the Higgs potential
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Can a W+ boson couple to a W- boson? Say, if a Higgs decays into a W+ and a W-, what would be the Lagrangian density for this interaction? How would you evaluate such a first order diagram?
 
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Such interactions appear in the Lagrangian after electroweak symmetry breaking and are generally proportional to the Higgs vev. The origin is the covariant derivative terms of the Higgs field. They would be treated in perturbation theory just as any other interaction term.

Note that the Higgs (125 GeV) is too light to decay into two on-shell Ws (80 GeV) and thus at least one of the Ws has to be off-shell.
 
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In addition to the Higgs decay/production, you can also have those in ZWW, ZZWW, WWWW couplings.
 
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and the Lagrangian density of this interaction (W- W+ and others) can comes from the:
[itex] \mathcal{L} = - \frac{1}{4} F_{\mu \nu}^b F^{\mu \nu}_b [/itex]
which for non-abelian gauge group theories will give you interactions of fields with themselves (not only the kinetic terms).
The interactions of bosons with the Higgs scalar come from the Higg's potential term which contains: [itex]D_{\mu} \phi D^{\mu} \phi^* [/itex], where the gauge boson fields exist in the covariant derivatives [itex]D_{\mu}[/itex] (as connections)
 

FAQ: Can a W+ boson couple to a W- boson?

1. Can a W+ boson couple to a W- boson?

Yes, a W+ boson can couple to a W- boson through the electroweak interaction. This interaction involves the exchange of virtual particles, such as the W+ and W- bosons, between particles to explain the weak nuclear force.

2. What is the significance of W+ and W- bosons coupling?

The coupling of W+ and W- bosons is important in understanding the electroweak interaction and the behavior of elementary particles. It is also crucial in explaining the mechanism of particle decay and the unification of the electromagnetic and weak forces.

3. Can W+ and W- bosons only couple to each other?

No, W+ and W- bosons can also couple to other particles, such as electrons and neutrinos. This coupling is essential in processes like beta decay, where a neutron decays into a proton, electron, and electron antineutrino through the exchange of a W- boson.

4. How does the coupling of W+ and W- bosons affect particle interactions?

The coupling of W+ and W- bosons plays a crucial role in the interactions of particles, particularly in processes involving the weak nuclear force. It allows for the exchange of energy and momentum between particles, resulting in the transformation or decay of particles into different types.

5. Can the coupling of W+ and W- bosons be observed in experiments?

Yes, the coupling of W+ and W- bosons can be observed in experiments at high-energy particle colliders, such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). These experiments provide evidence for the existence and behavior of these particles and their coupling in accordance with theoretical predictions.

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