Marc Osherson, Johns Hopkins University
"Heavy Resonance Searches Through Vector-Like Quarks"


A number of new physics models suggest that a new, heavy Z' or W' particle 
may decay through Vector-Like Quarks (VLQs).  In some such models, decays 
with one or more intermediate VLQs may have a higher branching ratio than 
decays to standard model particles. Therefore, while a number of limits have 
already been set on Z' and W' production in various standard-model channels, 
these new models are not currently excluded.

I will present an ongoing CMS search for a massive Z' boson, decaying to a 
top and a vector-like top partner using single-lepton data from the 2016 run 
of the LHC.