Spontaneous symmetry breaking as a result of extra dimensions compactification

TL;DR

This paper explores how extra dimensions in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet cosmology can induce spontaneous symmetry breaking by shifting the asymptotic value of a non-minimally coupled scalar field, affecting its stability.

Contribution

It demonstrates that extra dimensions can cause a scalar field with a quartic potential to stabilize away from zero, leading to symmetry breaking in a cosmological setting.

Findings

Scalar field asymptotic value can be shifted from potential minimum

Extra dimensions influence scalar field stability

Symmetry breaking occurs due to compactification effects

Abstract

We consider dynamics of a scalar field in compactification scenario of Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet cosmology. It is shown that if the field is non-minimally coupled to curvature, its asymptotic value under certain conditions may be shifted from the minimum of its potential. This means that due to influence of extra dimensions a scalar field with $\lambda \phi^4$ potential can stabilise away from $\phi=0$ stable point which means an effective symmetry breaking occurs in such a system.