Classification of minimal models producing b, c and tau masses at one-loop level
The Standard Model neither provides a dynamical explanation for the quark and lepton mass hierarchies, nor a rationale for why all of these masses save that of the top quark are suppressed compared to the electroweak scale. Motivated by this, we explore the alternative radiative mass generation hypothesis, specialising to the generation of the bottom, charm, and tau masses at one-loop level. A classification of all minimal models that use exotic scalars and exotic fermions only is presented, resulting in 25 possibilities featuring four exotic multiplets. As a bonus, some of the models produce a one-loop neutrino Dirac mass if a right-handed neutrino field is included, and some feature WIMP-like dark matter candidates. By way of example, we analyse the phenomenology of a benchmark model chosen from the set of 25 candidates and find that it is capable of exactly replicating the predicted Standard Model Yukawa couplings within the permitted parameter space.