paper

Higgstory repeats itself

arXiv:2207.00299 · doi:10.1007/JHEP09(2022)203

Abstract

We consider a scalar potential with two minima, one of which is arbitrarily deep, such as could be the case for the Higgs potential in the Standard Model. A recent calculation within the thin-wall approximation [arXiv:2205.10240] concludes that regions in which the scalar field takes values beyond the top of the potential barrier are forced by gravity to collapse, while they remain hidden behind a black hole horizon. We show that the thin-wall approximation is not applicable to this problem. We clarify the issue through numerical and analytical solutions to the field equations of the gravity-scalar system. We find that regions around the deeper minimum expand, and would thereby engulf the Universe in post-inflationary cosmology. We also show that black holes with Higgs hair are unstable. Even though the physics of the true vacuum is different, our final conclusion replicates the earlier `Higgstory' paper [arXiv:1505.04825].

arXiv comment21 pages, 7 figures. Typo in eq. (16) fixed

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