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The Construction of the Higgs Mechanism and the Emergence of the Electroweak Theory

Karaca, Koray (2011) The Construction of the Higgs Mechanism and the Emergence of the Electroweak Theory. [Preprint]

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    Abstract

    I examine the construction process of the Higgs mechanism and its subsequent use by Steven Weinberg to formulate the electroweak theory in particle physics. I characterize the development of the Higgs mechanism to be a historical process that is guided through analogies drawn to the theories of solid-state physics and that is progressive through diverse contributions from a number of physicists working independently. I also offer a detailed comparative study that analyzes the similarities and differences in these contributions.

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    Item Type: Preprint
    Keywords: Higgs mechanism; gauge theories; electroweak theory; mass-problem; gauge invariance; spontaneous symmetry breaking
    Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Condensed Matter
    General Issues > Explanation
    Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles
    General Issues > History of Science Case Studies
    Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
    General Issues > Structure of Theories
    Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
    General Issues > Theory Change
    Depositing User: Koray Karaca
    Date Deposited: 19 Jul 2012 17:17
    Last Modified: 19 Jul 2012 17:17
    Item ID: 9247
    URI: http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9247

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