but long-standing approach to electroweak symmetry breaking

based on an analogy with superconductivity. Electroweak symmetry

breaking is assumed to be caused by dynamically generated masses of

typical fermions, i.e., of quarks and leptons, which in turn assumes a new

dynamics between quarks and leptons. Primarily it is designed to generate

fermion masses, and electroweak symmetry breaking is an automatic

consequence..

the summary of the topic, the first main part of the thesis addresses

the question as to whether the masses of known quarks and leptons provide

sufficiently strong sources of electroweak symmetry breaking. It is

demonstrated that neutrino masses subject to the seesaw mechanism are

indispensable ingredients. The other two parts of the thesis are dedicated

to the presentation of two particular models: The first model is based on

the ability to reproduce fermion masses. The second, more realistic model

introduces a flavor gauge dynamics and its phenomenological consequences

are studied.

Although interest in this type of model has waxed and waned over the

years, following the discovery of the Standard-Model-like Higgs particle,

it is regaining its relevance.

Although interest in this type of model has waxed and waned over the

years, following the discovery of the Standard-Model-like Higgs particle,

it is regaining its relevance.

years, following the discovery of the Standard-Model-like Higgs particle,

it is regaining its relevance.