Mass and Interactions of theWMeson

Abstract

Some possible sources of a large mass for the weak vector meson, or $W$ meson, are studied. Several possibilities are found, including the following: (1) The self-mass of the $W$, which cannot be zero, is large. (2) The weak interactions generate a large self-mass. (3) The electromagnetic interactions generate a large self-mass. (4) The $W$ undergoes a strong self-interaction which generates a large self-mass. Some experimentally observable consequences of these possibilities are discussed.