Consistent Dyson summation of Higgs propagators in non-linear parameterizations revisited

As we demonstrate in a process independent way, in a non-linear parameterization of the scalar sector of the standard model the Dyson summation of the Higgs self-energy can be performed without violating the Ward identities. This implies also the Goldstone boson equivalence theorem, in the limited range of its validity in effective field theories. This proves an earlier conjecture of Valencia and Willenbrock. Furthermore, the full Higgs propagator is independent of the gauge parameters. These results are consistent with the extension of the gauge flip formalism for the construction of gauge invariant classes of Feynman diagrams to loop diagrams. In a non-linear parameterization of a 2-Higgs doublet model, the consistent Dyson summation is possible for all neutral Higgs bosons, but not for the charged scalars. Explicit examples of the equivalence theorem are discussed both in the minimal standard model and a 2-Higgs doublet model.Received: 24 August 2004, Revised: 14 October 2004, Published online: 26 November 2004PACS: 11.15.Ex, 12.15.-y, 14.80.Cp, 11.15.Bt