Likely values of the Higgs vev

TL;DR

This paper estimates the likelihood of the Higgs vacuum expectation value (vev) by applying anthropic constraints on atom existence, considering variable Standard Model parameters, and finds results consistent with the observed vev.

Contribution

It introduces a likelihood estimation method for the Higgs vev using anthropic constraints and a scale-invariant Yukawa coupling distribution, supporting the anthropic origin hypothesis.

Findings

Likelihood favors values close to the observed Higgs vev

Anthropic constraints can explain the small Higgs vev

Scale-invariant Yukawa distribution aligns with phenomenology

Abstract

We make an estimate of the likelihood function for the Higgs vacuum expectation value by imposing anthropic constraints on the existence of atoms while allowing the other parameters of the Standard Model to also be variable. We argue that the most important extra ingredients are the Yukawa couplings, and for the intrinsic distribution of Yukawa couplings we use the scale invariant distribution which is favored phenomenologically. The result is successful phenomenologically, favoring values close to the observed vev. We also discuss modifications that could change these conclusions. Our work supports the hypothesis that the anthropic constraints could be the origin of the small value of the Higgs vev.