A numerical study of the SU(2) Higgs model

Preliminary results of a simulation of the SU(2) theory with a Higgs field in the fundamental representation are presented. For an 83 x 16 and a 123 x 24 lattice we investigated the parameter range 2.4 ≤ β ≤ 3.0, λ = ∞. In the confinement region huge autocorrelations prevent us from obtaining reliable results. In the Higgs region the W mass mW turns out to have larger finite size effects than previously expected. Besides the W and Higgs masses, we estimate for β = 3.0 and the 123 x 24 lattice the renormalized gauge coupling gr and (unfortunately only up to an unknown wave function renormalization) the Higgs expectation value v. The latter is obtained from the vacuum overlap order order parameter. Technical problems encountered in its computation are discussed in some detail. Finally we discuss our results; in particular we show that the tree level relation mw2 = gr2v2/2 is fulfilled remarkably well. (orig.)