Reconciling the CDF Wjj and single-top-quark anomalies

TL;DR

This paper shows that the previously reported Wjj excess in CDF data disappears when using data-derived background estimates, but reveals new anomalies in b-tag event distributions, with no similar issues in D0 data.

Contribution

It introduces a data-driven background estimation method that clarifies the Wjj anomaly and uncovers new b-tag related anomalies in CDF data, contrasting with D0 results.

Findings

No Wjj excess when using data-derived background estimates

Anomalies in W+0 b-tag and W+2 b-tag event counts in CDF data

No significant anomalies found in D0 data

Abstract

We demonstrate that there is no evidence of any Wjj excess or deficit within CDF data if a data-derived background estimation that includes single-top-quark production is used instead of a Monte Carlo estimate. Instead, when coupled with the CDF measurement of single-top-quark production, a more interesting anomaly exists within CDF data: namely, there are too many W+0 b-tag and W+2 b-tag events, and too few W+1 b-tag events. As we previously predicted, there is no significant evidence of any of these anomalies in the D0 data set.