You choose "A" tag for your thread, and you ask this question? It is like asking how long time it takes for one carbon.14 nuclei to decay, I hope you realize this...emanaly said:How much time would that process require?
Actually yes, I was reading from false to true (because that is what is actually being studied, plus I thought it was the same as this recent thread https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/what-is-a-false-vacuum.1052894 )Vanadium 50 said:I was puzzled by this - note the use of "true" and "false". Isn't it more like a N-14 atom decaying to C-14?
No, it doesn't have the energy to do that. By definition, the true vacuum is the lowest energy state.emanaly said:Could the Higgs field in a true vacuum tunnel to a false one?
A true vacuum is a state of lowest energy where all fields are at their minimum potential energy, and no further decay is possible. In contrast, a false vacuum is a local minimum of energy that is not the absolute lowest; it can decay to a lower energy state, leading to a more stable configuration. The Higgs field can exist in both states, affecting particle masses and the dynamics of the universe.
Tunneling in quantum field theory refers to the phenomenon where a system can transition from one energy state to another, even if it appears classically forbidden. This occurs due to the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics, allowing particles to "tunnel" through energy barriers that they would not be able to cross in classical physics.
Yes, it is theoretically possible for the Higgs field to tunnel from a true vacuum to a false vacuum. If the Higgs field is in a true vacuum state, quantum tunneling could allow it to transition to a false vacuum state. This process is associated with the stability of the universe and could have implications for the evolution of cosmic structures.
If the Higgs field were to tunnel from a true vacuum to a false vacuum, it could lead to catastrophic consequences, such as a phase transition in the universe. This could result in the sudden release of energy and potentially alter the fundamental properties of particles, leading to a new vacuum state that could reshape the universe's structure and dynamics.
Scientists study tunneling effects in the Higgs field through theoretical models and simulations in quantum field theory. They analyze the potential energy landscape of the Higgs field, calculate tunneling rates, and explore the implications of these transitions using both analytical and numerical methods. Additionally, experimental data from particle colliders can provide insights into the stability of the Higgs field and its potential vacuum states.