On the phase diagram of the Higgs SU(2) model

Abstract

The Higgs SU(2) model with fixed Higgs length is usually believed to have two different phases at high gauge coupling (β), separated by a line of first order transitions but not distinuguished by any typical symmetry associated with a local order parameter, as first proved by Fradkin and Shenker. We show that in regions of the parameter space where it is usually supposed to be a first order phase transition only a smooth crossover is in fact present.

6 pages, 6 figures. Talk presented at The XXVI International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, July 14 - 19, 2008 - Williamsburg, Virginia, USA