PT-symmetric interpretation of unstable effective potentials

TL;DR

This paper proposes a PT-symmetric reinterpretation of effective potentials in quantum field theories, which removes perceived instabilities at large field values, potentially transforming our understanding of stability in these models.

Contribution

It introduces a PT-symmetric framework to reinterpret unstable effective potentials, offering a novel approach to address instabilities in quantum field theories.

Findings

PT-symmetric reinterpretation removes instabilities

Potential for stability at quantum-field-theory level

Applicable to Higgs and supergravity models

Abstract

The conventional interpretation of the one-loop effective potentials of the Higgs field in the Standard Model and the gravitino condensate in dynamically broken supergravity is that these theories are unstable at large field values. A PT-symmetric reinterpretation of these models at a quantum-mechanical level eliminates these instabilities and suggests that these instabilities may also be tamed at the quantum-field-theory level.