The incompleteness of the experimental searches for vector-like leptons at CERN

TL;DR

This paper highlights the gaps in current experimental searches for vector-like leptons at CERN, emphasizing the need to include overlooked decay channels to improve detection prospects.

Contribution

It identifies missing decay modes in existing searches and advocates for reanalysis to address these gaps, enhancing the search for vector-like leptons.

Findings

Current searches do not cover all decay modes.

Some decay channels are overlooked in experimental analyses.

Reanalysis could improve detection sensitivity.

Abstract

There are strong phenomenological arguments favoring the existence of vector-like leptons and quarks in nature. In spite of extensive studies conducted in search of vector-like quarks, there are only a limited number of experimental studies on vector-like leptons. Moreover, these searches do not include all possible decay modes of vector-like leptons. Therefore, the analyses done so far are incomplete. In this letter, we highlight decay channels that are not covered by different experimental analyses, with a focus on L3, ATLAS, and CMS results. We argue that experimental analyses should be redone considering these shortcomings.