Magnetic-field-induced superconductivity and superfluidity of W and Z bosons: in tandem transport and kaleidoscopic vortex states

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that extremely strong magnetic fields can induce superconducting and superfluid phases in the electroweak vacuum, characterized by unique vortex lattice structures and anisotropic transport properties.

Contribution

It reveals a novel phase transition in the electroweak sector under intense magnetic fields, leading to tandem superconductor-superfluid states with complex vortex arrangements.

Findings

Superconducting and superfluid phases occur at magnetic fields of 10^{20} T.

The phase exhibits anisotropic transport, with flows only along the magnetic field.

Ground state features a kaleidoscopic vortex lattice structure.

Abstract

We show that in a background of a sufficiently strong magnetic field the electroweak sector of the quantum vacuum exhibits superconducting and, unexpectedly, superfluid properties due to the magnetic-field-induced condensation of, respectively, W and Z bosons. The phase transition to the "tandem" superconductor-superfluid phase -- which is weakly sensitive to the Higgs sector of the standard model -- occurs at the critical magnetic field of 10^{20} T. The superconductor-superfluid phase of the electroweak vacuum has anisotropic transport properties as both charged and neutral superflows may propagate only along the magnetic field axis. The ground state possesses an unusual "kaleidoscopic" structure made of a hexagonal lattice of superfluid vortices superimposed on a triangular lattice of superconductor vortices.