60 years of Broken Symmetries in Quantum Physics (From the Bogoliubov Theory of Superfluidity to the Standard Model)

TL;DR

This paper reviews the historical development of spontaneous symmetry breaking in quantum physics, from superfluidity theories to the Higgs mechanism in the Standard Model, highlighting key milestones and their significance.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive retrospective overview of the evolution of SSB concepts in quantum physics and their integration into particle physics models over 60 years.

Findings

Historical progression of SSB in quantum theories

Connection between superfluidity and particle physics

Role of the Higgs mechanism in the Standard Model

Abstract

A retrospective historical overview of the phenomenon of spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) in quantum theory, the issue that has been implemented in particle physics in the form of the Higgs mechanism. The main items are: -- The Bogoliubov's microscopical theory of superfluidity (1946); -- The BCS-Bogoliubov theory of superconductivity (1957); -- Superconductivity as a superfluidity of Cooper pairs (Bogoliubov - 1958); -- Transfer of the SSB into the QFT models (early 60s); -- The Higgs model triumph in the electro-weak theory (early 80s). The role of the Higgs mechanism and its status in the current Standard Model is also touched upon.