Top quark physics: From a few to a few millions

TL;DR

This paper reviews the significance of the top quark in fundamental physics, discussing past measurements, current understanding, and future prospects for exploring its properties and potential new physics implications.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of top quark research, highlighting recent experimental results and future directions in the field.

Findings

Top quark mass constrains the Higgs boson and electroweak symmetry.

Measurements of top quark production rates inform new physics searches.

Future experiments aim to improve precision and explore rare processes.

Abstract

As the heaviest known fundamental particle, the top quark has taken a central role in the study of fundamental interactions. The top quark mass is a fundamental parameter of the standard model which places constraints on the Higgs boson mass and electroweak symmetry breaking. Observations of the relative rates and kinematics of top quark final states may provide constraints for new physics processes. Past and current experimental measurements are presented with a critical view, and a look at the future prospects.