Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2015 / iii / Paper 47 / 4 / a

Use the weak hypercharge normalization $Q=T_3+Y$. Write $U(x)\in SU(2{)}_L$ and the hypercharge transformation as $e^{i\beta (x)Y}$. A left-handed doublet transforms as ${\psi }_L\mapsto e^{i\beta Y_L}U{\psi }_L$, while a right-handed singlet transforms as ${\psi }_R\mapsto e^{i\beta Y_R}{\psi }_R$. The Higgs doublet transforms as $\varphi \mapsto e^{i\beta /2}U\varphi$.

The representations per fermion generation are:

There is no right-handed neutrino in the minimal Standard Model. If such a sterile singlet were added, its hypercharge would be zero. The two hypercharge columns give equivalent normalizations, not different physical assignments. This is the electroweak representation and hypercharge table.

Yukawa interactions use $\varphi$ for down-type quarks and charged leptons, but $\tilde{\varphi }=i{\sigma }^2{\varphi }^{\ast }$ for up-type quarks. The conjugate doublet transforms as $e^{-i\beta /2}U\tilde{\varphi }$, using the pseudoreality of the $SU(2)$ fundamental representation. For example, the hypercharge sums in the down, charged-lepton, and up terms areThe doublet indices contract between ${\bar{\psi }}_L$ and the scalar, and colour indices contract in the quark terms. This verifies gauge invariance.

The indices $i,j=1,2,3$ label fermion generations, specifying which left-handed family and right-handed family are coupled. They are not weak-isospin indices. Each fermion type has its own complex Yukawa matrix. After symmetry breaking these matrices determine masses; the mismatch of the two quark left-handed mass rotations produces the CKM matrix. Left fields are weak doublets, right fields are weak singlets, and the scalar is a hypercharge-$1/2$ doublet in the stated convention.