Extra dimensions as an alternative to Higgs mechanism?

TL;DR

This paper proposes a mechanism where extra-dimensional gauge theories can produce massive gauge fields and broken symmetry without a Higgs boson, offering an alternative approach to the hierarchy problem.

Contribution

It introduces a novel localization mechanism for gauge fields in higher dimensions that does not rely on Higgs fields or symmetry-breaking expectation values.

Findings

Massive vector fields emerge without Higgs bosons

Gauge symmetry is broken via localization on defects

Potential new solutions to the hierarchy problem

Abstract

We show that a pure gauge theory in higher dimensions may lead to an effective lower-dimensional theory with massive vector field, broken gauge symmetry and no fundamental Higgs boson. The mechanism we propose employs the localization of a vector field on a lower-dimensional defect. No non-zero expectation values of the vector field components along extra dimensions are required. New possibilities for the solution to the gauge hierarchy problem are discussed.