Probing the vector-like $X$ quark via the $tW$ channel at future muon-proton colliders
We investigate the discovery potential for the vector-like $X$-quark (VLX) at future muon--proton ($\mu p$) colliders through the process $\mu^+ p \to \bar{\nu}_\mu X \to \bar{\nu}_\mu t W^+$. A simplified effective model is adopted in which the production and decay of the VLX are governed by the coupling strength $g^{...