Physics (Internal)

Towards an Understanding of Electroweak Symmetry Breaking

This event is part of the HEE Seminar Series.

Abstract: The top quark offers a powerful window to understanding physics at the electroweak scale. Through the precision measurement of its mass, we are directed to the mass of the Higgs boson, the physical manifestation of the standard model explanation for electroweak symmetry breaking. Through its single-top production, as opposed to the more common QCD production, we learn about electroweak production of the heaviest quark, and we provide a stepping stone to Higgs boson production in the same topology. Through study of the top quark decay couplings, we test for new higher energy scale deviations from the standard model electroweak interaction. In this talk, I will highlight the rich physics of the top quark, and its significance in understanding electroweak scale physics.