Higgs shifts from electron-positron annihilations near neutron stars

TL;DR

This paper explores how neutron stars can be used to set new bounds on the Higgs-Kretschmann coupling by analyzing gamma-ray spectral shifts, improving previous constraints from white dwarf studies.

Contribution

It reanalyzes gamma-ray data from GRB781119 to derive tighter bounds on the Higgs-Kretschmann coupling, proposing new observational strategies for future research.

Findings

Derived a more stringent upper bound on the Higgs-Kretschmann coupling.

Identified potential for gamma-ray spectral analysis to constrain fundamental physics.

Suggested targeted observational approaches for future experiments.

Abstract

We discuss the potential for using neutron stars to determine bounds on the Higgs-Kretschmann coupling by looking at peculiar shifts in gamma-ray spectroscopic features. In particular, we reanalyse multiple lines observed in GRB781119 detected by two gamma-ray spectrometers, and derive an upper bound on the Higgs-Kretschmann coupling that is much more constraining than the one recently obtained from white dwarfs. This calls for targeted analyses of spectra of gamma-ray bursts from more recent observatories, dedicated searches for differential shifts on electron-positron and proton-antiproton annihilation spectra in proximity of compact sources, and signals of electron and proton cyclotron lines from the same neutron star.