Electroweak scale

In particle physics, the electroweak scale, also known as the Fermi scale, is the energy scale around 246 GeV, a typical energy of processes described by the electroweak theory. The particular number 246 GeV is taken to be the vacuum expectation value ${\displaystyle v=(G_{F}{\sqrt {2}})^{-1/2}}$ of the Higgs field (where ${\displaystyle G_{F}}$ is the Fermi coupling constant). In some cases the term electroweak scale is used to refer to the temperature of electroweak symmetry breaking, 159.5±1.5 GeV [1] . In other cases, the term is used more loosely to refer to energies in a broad range around 100-1000 GeV.

Interactions may have been above this scale during the electroweak epoch. In the unextended Standard Model, the transition from the electroweak epoch was not a first or a second order phase transition but a continuous crossover, preventing any baryogenesis.[2] However many extensions to the standard model including supersymmetry and the inert double model have a first order electroweak phase transition (but still lack additional CP violation).

See also

• Hierarchy problem

References

1. D'Onofrio, Michela and Rummukainen, Kari (2016). "Standard model cross-over on the lattice". Phys. Rev. D93 (2): 025003. arXiv:1508.07161. doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.93.025003.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
2. Bergerhoff, Bastian; Wetterich, Christof (1998). "Electroweak Phase Transition in the Early Universe?". Current Topics in Astrofundamental Physics: Primordial Cosmology. Springer Netherlands. pp. 211–240. arXiv:hep-ph/9611462. doi:10.1007/978-94-011-5046-0_6. ISBN 978-94-010-6119-3.