Generating the Electro-Weak Scale by Vector-like Quark Condensation

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel mechanism where vector-like quark condensation dynamically generates the electro-weak scale, linking new physics at the TeV scale to electroweak symmetry breaking without naturalness issues.

Contribution

It introduces a minimal model with vector-like quarks and a neutral scalar that can generate the electro-weak scale through chiral symmetry breaking, compatible with current bounds.

Findings

Scales are determined by Dyson-Schwinger equations and grow with vector-like mass.

The model is consistent with existing experimental constraints.

Potential dark matter candidates emerge from bound states of vector-like quarks.

Abstract

We show that vector-like quarks in the fundamental or higher-dimensional representations of QCD can generate the electro-weak scale in a phenomenologically viable way by chiral symmetry breaking condensates. The thereby generated scales are determined by numerically solving the Dyson-Schwinger equation and these scales are sizable, because they grow with the hard vector-like mass. Communicating such a scale to the Standard Model via a conformally invariant scalar sector can dynamically generate the electro-weak scale without a naturalness problem, because all non-dynamical mass scales are protected by chiral symmetry. We present a minimal setup which requires only a new neutral scalar with mass not too far above the electro-weak scale, as well as vector-like quarks at the (multi-)TeV scale. Both are consistent with current bounds and are attractive for future experimental searches at the LHC and future colliders. Depending on the hypercharge of the vector-like quarks, hadrons made of them are color-neutral bound states which would be interesting Dark Matter candidates.