Model-independent searches for new quarks at the LHC

New vector-like quarks can have sizable couplings to first generation quarks without conflicting with current experimental constraints. The coupling with valence quarks and unique kinematics make single production the optimal discovery process. We perform a model-independent analysis of the discovery reach at the Large Hadron Collider for new vector-like quarks considering single production and subsequent decays via electroweak interactions. An early LHC run with 7 TeV center of mass energy and 1 fb−1 of integrated luminosity can probe heavy quark masses up to 1 TeV and can be competitive with the Tevatron reach of 10 fb−1. The LHC with 14 TeV center of mass energy and 100 fb−1 of integrated luminosity can probe heavy quark masses up to 3.7 TeV for order one couplings.