Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Wells, James D.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.05472
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1866915980219777024
author Wells, James D.
author_facet Wells, James D.
contents The Hierarchy Problem of elementary particle physics can be divided into two separate problems: the Intrinsic and Extrinsic Hierarchy Problems. The Intrinsic Hierarchy Problem (IHP) arises when the Wilsonian renormalization group induces a large $Λ_{\rm UV}^2$ cutoff dependence on a much lighter scalar mass, creating a large finetuning. The Extrinsic Hierarchy Problem (EHP) arises when the IR theory is augmented with generically assumed extra states and interactions in the UV, making the resulting IR effective theory appear highly finetuned. The IHP is straightforward to analyze within a theory, but has suspicious regulator dependence, which has been suggested by some to be indication of a faux problem. The EHP is less straightforward to analyze, but has strength of physical intuition. We analyze EHP as a formal paradox, spelling out its premises and reasoning. From this we classify solutions to the EHP in terms of premise violations, and we articulate why some purported solutions to the Hierarchy Problem only partially solve the IHP and leave the EHP unaddressed.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2506_05472
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle The Intrinsic and Extrinsic Hierarchy Problems
Wells, James D.
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
The Hierarchy Problem of elementary particle physics can be divided into two separate problems: the Intrinsic and Extrinsic Hierarchy Problems. The Intrinsic Hierarchy Problem (IHP) arises when the Wilsonian renormalization group induces a large $Λ_{\rm UV}^2$ cutoff dependence on a much lighter scalar mass, creating a large finetuning. The Extrinsic Hierarchy Problem (EHP) arises when the IR theory is augmented with generically assumed extra states and interactions in the UV, making the resulting IR effective theory appear highly finetuned. The IHP is straightforward to analyze within a theory, but has suspicious regulator dependence, which has been suggested by some to be indication of a faux problem. The EHP is less straightforward to analyze, but has strength of physical intuition. We analyze EHP as a formal paradox, spelling out its premises and reasoning. From this we classify solutions to the EHP in terms of premise violations, and we articulate why some purported solutions to the Hierarchy Problem only partially solve the IHP and leave the EHP unaddressed.
title The Intrinsic and Extrinsic Hierarchy Problems
topic High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.05472