Do properties associated with photons also apply to other bosons?

In summary, photons and other bosons, like the Higgs, can interfere due to their frequency and energy correlations. However, what sets photons apart is their lack of charge, allowing for superpositions of states with different numbers of photons. This is not possible for other charged particles, as charge must be conserved and global unitary transformations will average out non-diagonal terms in superpositions of different charge. This is known as charge superselection.
  • #1
ricko
2
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A photon has an energy correleated with its frequency. Photons can interfere.
Can the same be said for other bosons, like the Higgs?
 
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  • #2
A frequency may be ascribed to any particle, not just photons and any particle may interfere with itself.
What is peculiar about the photon is that it carries no charge and therefore it is possible to have superpositions of states containing different number of photons. Then the fields themselves become observables.
Higgs bosons are also not charged, so should behave similar to photons in that respect (however they are massive).
 
  • #3
DrDu said:
... photon ... carries no charge and therefore it is possible to have superpositions of states containing different number of photons

I'm not sure why this is the case - why I cannot have bunch of W+ bosons (or electrons) with uncertain number of particles, such as the eigenstate of annihilation operator. Is it because that would mean uncertain total charge, while charge must be conserved? But energy must also be conserved and there are states with uncertain energy (non-stationary states).

Or is it because like charges repel? But globally the net charge is zero in a charged field.
 
  • #4
This is called charge superselection which prohibits superpositions of states with different charge. Likewise you may view it as a consequence of the global unitary transformations possible for charged fields. These will average out all non-diagonal terms in superpositions of different charge.
 
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Related to Do properties associated with photons also apply to other bosons?

What is a boson?

A boson is a type of elementary particle that follows Bose-Einstein statistics. It has an integer spin and is characterized by its ability to carry force or energy.

How are photons and other bosons related?

All bosons share the same properties, including the ability to carry force or energy. Photons are a type of boson that carries electromagnetic force, while other bosons can carry other types of forces, such as the W and Z bosons that carry the weak nuclear force.

Do bosons follow the same rules as other particles, such as fermions?

No, bosons follow different rules than fermions. Bosons follow Bose-Einstein statistics, while fermions follow Fermi-Dirac statistics. This means that bosons can occupy the same quantum state, while fermions cannot.

Can bosons be created or destroyed?

Yes, bosons can be created or destroyed through interactions with other particles. For example, a photon can be created when an electron and positron annihilate each other.

What are some examples of bosons besides photons?

Besides photons, other examples of bosons include the W and Z bosons, gluons, and the Higgs boson. These particles carry different types of forces and are integral to our understanding of the fundamental interactions in the universe.

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