We discuss the possibility of the spontaneous symmetry breaking characterized by order parameters with higher dimensionful composite fields. By analyzing general Ginzburg-Landau potential for a complex scalar field φ = φ1 +iφ2 with O(2) symmetry, we demonstrate that a phase characterized by 〈φ21 − φ 2 2〉 6 = 0 with 〈φ1〉 = 〈φ2〉 = 0 is realized in a certain parameter region. To clarify the drivin...

A brief overview is given of the theory of Higgs bosons and electroweak symmetry breaking that is relevant for the Higgs physics program at the Linear Collider. Invited talk at the International Conference on Linear Colliders LCWS-04 19–23 April 2004, Paris, France HIGGS THEORY—A BRIEF OVERVIEW ∗

The masses of baryons and heavy quark baryons are studied analytically in an expansion in 1/Nc, SU (3) flavor symmetry breaking, and heavy-quark symmetry breaking. The measured baryon masses are in striking agreement with the 1/Nc hierarchy.

We discuss O’Raifeartaigh models with general R-charge assignments, introduced by Shih to break R-symmetry spontaneously. We argue that most of these models have runaway directions related to the R-symmetry. In addition, we study the simplest model with a U(N) global symmetry and show that in a range of parameters Rsymmetry is spontaneously broken in a metastable vacuum.

We present a test with which to evaluate the calculated isospin-symmetry-breaking corrections to superallowed 0+ → 0+ nuclear β decay. The test is based on the corrected experimental F t values being required to satisfy conservation of the vector current (CVC). When applied to six sets of published calculations, the test demonstrates quantitatively that only one set, the one based on the shell ...

I give a brief review of some of the opportunities and challenges that could arise in our quest to unravel the Higgs sector that very probably underlies electroweak symmetry breaking. In particular, I review scenarios with an extended Higgs sector that allow for a heavy SM-like Higgs boson and/or make discovery more difficult while at the same time maintaining consistency with current limits an...

We discuss the condensation of relativistic spin-one fields at high chemical potential. This phenomenon leads to the spontaneous breaking of rotational invariance, together with the breaking of internal symmetries.

A review of supersymmetry theory and phenomenology is presented. Topics discussed include: gravity-mediated (SUGRA) and gauge-mediated (GMSB) super-symmetry breaking models; an overview of non-universal soft-supersymmetry-breaking masses and the resulting experimental implications; the phenomenology of and constraints on the possibility that a massive gluino is the lightest supersym-metric part...