Search for heavy vector-like quarks coupling to light quarks in proton–proton collisions at √s = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Abstract

This Letter presents a search for singly produced vector-like quarks, Q , coupling to light quarks, q. The search is sensitive to both charged current (CC) and neutral current (NC) processes, pp → Q q → W qq' and pp → Q q → Zqq' with a leptonic decay of the vector gauge boson. In 1.04 fb−1 of data taken in 2011 by the ATLAS experiment at a center-of-mass energy √s = 7 TeV, no evidence of such heavy vector-like quarks is observed above the expected Standard Model background. Limits on the heavy vector-like quark production cross section times branching ratio as a function of mass mQ are obtained. For a coupling κqQ = v/mQ , where v is the Higgs vacuum expectation value, 95% C.L. lower limits on the mass of a vector-like quark are set at 900 GeV and 760 GeV from CC and NC processes, respectively.