W+Jets at CDF: Evidence for Top Quarks

TL;DR

This paper explains the observed W+jets invariant mass anomaly at CDF as a result of background normalization shifts, challenging interpretations that attribute it to new physics like top quarks.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the anomaly can be explained within the Standard Model by adjusting background normalizations, without invoking new physics.

Findings

The invariant mass peak can be reproduced by background normalization shifts.

The anomaly does not necessarily indicate new physics such as top quarks.

Standard Model backgrounds can mimic signals of new phenomena.

Abstract

Recently, an anomaly of W+jets events at large invariant masses has been reported by CDF. Many interpretations as physics beyond the Standard Model are being offered. We show how such an invariant mass peak can arise from a slight shift in the relative normalization of the top and WW backgrounds.