Nonperturbative aspects of spontaneous symmetry breaking

Abstract

Spontaneous symmetry breaking is studied in the ultralocal limit of a scalar quantum field theory, that is when $E\approx m$ (or infrared limit). In this limit we show that a $ \varphi^4$ theory in the euclidean space in four-dimensions describes naturally instantons. Furthermore, in the infrared limit we show that there is an exact map between $ \varphi^4$ with self-dual Yang-Mills theories. The spontaneous symmetry breaking in the infrared limit for a Higgs portal is also considered and we demonstrate how states of higher energy becomes unstable and spread converting a false vacuum in a true one.