@article { , title = {Gauge invariance and the Englert-Brout-Higgs mechanism in non-Hermitian field theories}, abstract = {We discuss PT-symmetric Abelian gauge field theories as well as their extension to the Englert-Brout-Higgs mechanism for generating a mass for a vector boson. Gauge invariance is not straightforward, and we discuss the different related problems as well as a solution which consists in coupling the gauge field to a current that is not conserved. Non-Hermiticity then necessarily precludes the Lorenz gauge condition but nevertheless allows for a consistent formulation of the theory. We therefore generalize the Englert-Brout-Higgs mechanism to PT-symmetric field theories, opening the way to constructing non-Hermitian extensions of the Standard Model and new scenarios for particle model building.}, doi = {10.1103/physrevd.99.075024}, eissn = {2470-0029}, issn = {2470-0010}, issue = {7}, journal = {Physical Review D}, pages = {1-9}, publicationstatus = {Published}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, url = {https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1834390}, volume = {99}, year = {2019}, author = {Alexandre, Jean and Ellis, John and Millington, Peter and Seynaeve, Dries} }