Seeking Lorentz Violation from the Higgs

TL;DR

This paper explores potential Lorentz violation in the Higgs sector by analyzing ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, constraining deviations in the Higgs' maximal speed to very tight limits.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to test Lorentz invariance in the Higgs sector using cosmic ray data, setting unprecedented bounds on Higgs velocity deviations.

Findings

Higgs maximal speed constrained to match other particles within 10^{-14}

Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays are effective probes for Lorentz violation

Limits on Higgs Lorentz violation improve previous bounds significantly

Abstract

The recently discovered Higgs particle with a mass near $126$ GeV presents new opportunities to explore Lorentz violation. Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays are one of the most sensitive testing grounds for Lorentz symmetry, and can be used to seek for and limit departures from Lorentz invariance in the Higgs sector. If the Higgs were to have a super- or sub-luminal maximal speed both Higgs and weak interaction physics would be modified. Consideration of such modifications allow us to constrain the Higgs maximal velocity to agree with that of other Standard Model particles to parts in $10^{14}$.