The Higgs particle, also known as the Higgs boson, is a fundamental particle in particle physics. It was first theorized by physicist Peter Higgs and others in the 1960s as a component of the Higgs mechanism, which provides a mechanism for particles to acquire mass.
The Higgs particle is associated with the Higgs field, a field that permeates the entire universe. According to the theory, particles interact with the Higgs field and gain mass through this interaction. The Higgs boson is the quantum excitation of the Higgs field.
Regarding its decay, the Higgs boson can indeed decay into other particles. In fact, its decay is an essential aspect of its experimental discovery at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. The Higgs boson has several possible decay modes, and the specific decay channels depend on its mass.
The Higgs boson can decay into various combinations of particles, including photons (γ), W and Z bosons, leptons (such as electrons and muons), quarks, and even other Higgs bosons. The probability of a specific decay occurring is determined by the Higgs boson's mass and the coupling strengths between the Higgs boson and the particles it decays into.
The mathematical description of the Higgs boson's decay is derived from the principles of quantum field theory. In this framework, the decay probability is calculated using Feynman diagrams, which represent the possible interactions between particles. These calculations involve intricate mathematical formalisms, including perturbation theory and quantum mechanical amplitudes.
Experimental confirmation of the Higgs boson's decay has been achieved at the LHC. By colliding protons at high energies, the LHC produces conditions where the Higgs boson can be created. Scientists analyze the decay products of the Higgs boson and observe the signatures of specific decay channels. By comparing the observed data with theoretical predictions, physicists can verify the presence of Higgs boson decay and measure its properties.
The discovery of the Higgs boson was announced in 2012 by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at the LHC, based on the analysis of collision data. Subsequent studies have focused on precisely measuring the Higgs boson's properties, including its decay modes and interaction strengths, to further validate the mathematical predictions of the Higgs mechanism.