A pseudoscalar at the LHC: technicolor vs a fourth family

TL;DR

This paper explores how a light pseudoscalar particle, arising from colored fermion condensates, could be detected at the LHC and distinguished from the Higgs, shedding light on its underlying origin, either technicolor or a fourth family.

Contribution

It analyzes the decay signatures of a pseudoscalar from different fermion condensate models to differentiate its origin at the LHC.

Findings

Decay ratios can distinguish between technicolor and fourth family origins.

Technicolor models face challenges in explaining the pseudoscalar signals.

A light pseudoscalar could be a signature of new strong dynamics.

Abstract

Condensates of colored fermions driving electroweak symmetry breaking could give rise to a light pseudoscalar that would show up in the Higgs search at the LHC. The branching ratios of its decay will distinguish it from the Higgs and illuminate its origin. In particular the colored fermions may be the techniquarks of a one family technicolor theory or the quarks of a strongly interacting fourth family. The former has more difficulties in this context.