High Energy Particle Physics

Mechanistic Vacuum Shell Model for Particle Masses and Lifetimes

Authors: Nigel B. Cook
Comments: 6 Pages.

We propose a mechanistic quantum field theory (QFT) framework that extends the nuclear shell model to a vacuum shell model, where particle masses and lifetimes are determined by interactions with Z and W bosons in a polarized vacuum. Virtual fermions, structured into shells with magic numbers (2, 8, 50), contribute quantized energy via the Pauli exclusion principle, analogous to nucleons in nuclear shells. We model the vacuum with a harmonic oscillator potential modified by a Yukawa term for Z/W boson interactions, deriving shell radii (12—47 fm) consistent with the infrared (IR) cutoff (33 fm). Masses for leptons (electron, muon, tauon) and hadrons (proton, neutron, $Delta^{++}$) are predicted with errors $<1.5%$, and lifetimes are calculated within 6—12% of observed values using Fermi’s golden rule and QCD-inspired strong decay models. The model unifies quarks and leptons via vacuum polarization, challenges the SM Higgs mechanism, and proposes a unification scale at the black hole event horizon ($3.16 times 10^{23}$ GeV). We address limitations, including light quark masses and strong force contributions, and suggest experimental tests at LHCb, KATRIN, and DUNE.
Category: High Energy Particle Physics