Nucleation at Finite Temperature: A Gauge-Invariant Perturbative Framework

Phys Rev Lett. 2023 Jun 23;130(25):251801. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.251801.

Abstract

We present a gauge-invariant framework for bubble nucleation in theories with radiative symmetry breaking at high temperature. As a procedure, this perturbative framework establishes a practical, gauge-invariant computation of the leading order nucleation rate, based on a consistent power counting in the high-temperature expansion. In model building and particle phenomenology, this framework has applications such as the computation of the bubble nucleation temperature and the rate for electroweak baryogenesis and gravitational wave signals from cosmic phase transitions.

MeSH terms

  • Phase Transition
  • Temperature*