Higgs Field’s Role in Up- and Down-Quark Mass Generation

Establish whether the Standard Model Higgs field is responsible for generating the up‑ and down‑quark masses that underlie the proton–neutron mass difference, and quantify its contribution if so.

Background

The up–down quark mass difference influences β‑stability of nucleons. While Higgs interactions are expected to generate quark masses, a direct, model‑independent establishment of the Higgs field’s role in setting the up and down masses remains lacking.

Clarifying this link would sharpen our understanding of how electroweak symmetry breaking impacts low‑energy nuclear physics and matter stability.