Abstract:
We analyse the properties of spontaneous symmetry breaking in the presence of external sources, concentrating on the question whether these sources can lead to a change of the vacuum expectation value of the Higgs field. We discuss in particular how the meaning of the Higgs-Kibble mechanisms is modified by such a vacuum change. The consequences of the presence of a strong electric charge are investigated in the framework of the Glashow-Salam-Weinberg model. Finally we discuss the possibility of actually observing this process. © 1984.
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