Top quark forward-backward asymmetry

The recent forward-backward asymmetry recorded by the CDF Collaboration for the top and anti-top quark pair production indicates more than 2 sigma deviation from the Standard Model prediction, while its total production cross section remains consistent. We propose a W' boson that couples to down and top quarks. We identify the parameter space that can give rise a large enough forward-backward asymmetry without producing too many top and anti-top quark pairs. Other models presented previously in the literature that can produce such effects are also briefly discussed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.