After the Higgs boson discovery: a turning point in particle physics

Abstract

The discovery of the Higgs particle has completed the Standard Model of elementary interactions which is stunningly successful in describing most of the elementary processes observed so far in the laboratories. Nevertheless, it is not the Theory of Everything. Its structure faces some theoretical puzzles and, even more importantly, it leaves unexplained neutrino masses and several fundamental astrophysical observations. Thus, the quest for a deeper theory is at present the main experimental and theoretical challenge in particle physics. However, contrary to the past research characterized by certain continuity and clear goals, we are now in a turning point surfing into totally unknown territory beyond the Standard Model physics. Precision measurements of the Higgs particle properties is one of the promising directions in the search for extensions to the existing theory. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The particle-gravity frontier’.