# Mass generation for Z' and W' bosons

I read that some Beyond the Standard Model theories require the existence of additional gauge bosons such as $Z'$ and $W'$. As far as I understood, an extension of the $SU(2)_L$ symmetry is required, that is the right handed $SU(2)_R$. My question is how do $Z'$ and $W'$ acquire a mass? In other words, do these models need to alter the electroweak symmetry breaking mechanism in a significant way?

• What do you mean by "in a significant way"? Gauge bosons get mass through symmetry breaking. If you have more gauge bosons, i.e. another symmetry, you need to break it, too. But it's always symmetry breaking, the mechanism doesn't change. – ACuriousMind Nov 15 '14 at 14:39
• So, you mean nothing changes in the Higgs sector? None of these theories alters the electroweak symmetry breaking mechanism? They predict exactly the same features for the Higgs? – FredS Nov 15 '14 at 16:17
• I think you just get "another" Higgs from breaking the $\mathrm{SU}(2)_L$, and probably their mass or other properties would also change, but the mechanism (about which you asked) stays the same. – ACuriousMind Nov 16 '14 at 14:56