| n this thesis, some constraints on dynamical electroweak symmetry breaking models are presented which follow from evaluating technipion contributions to observable particle decays.;An extended technicolor model proposed by Appelquist and Terning is studied in the first part of the thesis. Extended technicolor theories are an attempt at a dynamical explanation of electroweak symmetry breaking. This involves the introduction of new particles called technifermions which also have new interactions called technicolor. The chiral symmetry breaking of the technifermions can provide a natural mechanism for electroweak symmetry breaking. In addition, chiral symmetry breaking in generic technicolor theories implies that there are approximate (or pseudo-) Goldstone hosons, also called technipions. Finally, extended technicolor must be invoked to give masses to the ordinary fermions and technipions. A pair of light technipions that couple to ordinary quarks and leptons are found in the Appelquist-Terning model. Current experiments rule out such light technipions and the general reasons for this problem are discussed.;Next, the rare decay of the bottom quark to strange quark and a photon ;Finally, an analysis of the top decay to positively-charged pseudo-Goldstone bosons... |
