We suggest a novel approach towards resolving the fermion mass hierarchy problem within the framework of the standard model. It is shown that the observed masses and mixings can be explained with order one couplings using successive higher dimensional operators involving the SM Higgs doublet field. This scenario predicts a flavor-dependent enhancement in the Higgs boson coupling to the fermions. It also predicts a flavor changing $\overline{t}{\mathrm{ch}}^0$ interaction with a strength comparable to that of $\overline{b}{\mathrm{bh}}^0,$ opening up new discovery channels for the Higgs boson at the upgraded Fermilab Tevatron and the CERN LHC. Additional tests of the framework include observable $D^0-D^0$ mixing and a host of new phenomena associated with flavor physics at the TeV scale.

• Received 29 July 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.62.033002