Mathematical models of spontaneous symmetry breaking
arXiv:0802.2382
Abstract
The Higgs mechanism of mass generation is the main ingredient in the contemporary Standard Model and its various generalizations. However, there is no comprehensive theory of spontaneous symmetry breaking. We summarize the relevant mathematical results characterizing spontaneous symmetry breaking phenomena in algebraic quantum theory, axiomatic quantum field theory, group theory, and classical gauge theory.
14 pages, The Preface to the special issue "Higgs Mechanism and Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking" of International Journal of Geometric Methods in Modern Physics (v5, N2 2008)