Generating the electro-weak scale by vector-like quark condensation

We show that vector-like quarks in the fundamental or higher-dimensional representa-tions 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 attrac-tive 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.

Automated summary

Basically, we show that vector-like quarks in QCD can generate the electro-weak scale through chiral symmetry breaking condensates in a viable way. The scales generated in this manner are determined by solving the Dyson-Schwinger equation numerically, and they can be sizable as they increase with the hard vector-like mass. By transferring such a scale to the Standard Model via a conformally invariant scalar sector, the electro-weak scale can be dynamically generated without a naturalness problem since all non-dynamical mass scales are protected by chiral symmetry. We present a minimal setup involving a new neutral scalar with mass close to the electro-weak scale and vector-like quarks at the (multi-)TeV scale, both of which are consistent with current bounds and attractive for future experimental searches at the LHC and future colliders. Depending on the hypercharge of the vector-like quarks, hadrons made of them could be interesting Dark Matter candidates.