Vector-like quarks and leptons, SU(5) ⊗ SU(5) grand unification, and proton decay

SU(5) ⊗ SU(5) provides a minimal grand unification scheme for fermions and gauge forces if there are vector-like quarks and leptons in nature. We explore the gauge coupling unification in a non-supersymmetric model of this type, and study its implications for proton decay. The properties of vector-like quarks and intermediate scales that emerge from coupling unification play a central role in suppressing proton decay. We find that in this model, the familiar decay mode p→e⁺π⁰ may have a partial lifetime within the reach of currently planned experiments.