Related papers: Possible complex annihilation and B -> K pi direct…
Although recent experimental results in b-->s penguin process seem to be roughly consistent with the standard model predictions, there may be still large possibilities of new physics hiding in this processes. Therefore, here we investigate…
Motivated by the large difference between the direct CP asymmetries $A_{CP}(B^-\to \pi^0 K^-)$ and $A_{CP}(\bar{B}^{0}\to \pi^{+} K^{-})$, we combine the up-to-date experimental information on $B\to\pi K$, $\pi K^{\ast}$ and $\rho K$ decays…
The LHCb and CDF Collaborations have recently reported evidence for a CP asymmetry around -0.7% in $\Delta A_{CP}$, the difference between $A_{CP}(D^0 \to K^+ K^-)$ and $A_{CP}(D^0 \to \pi^+\pi^-)$. In the Standard Model this effect may be…
The present B -> pi K data is studied in the context of the standard model (SM) and with new physics (NP). We confirm that the SM has difficulties explaining the B -> pi K measurements. By adopting an effective-lagrangian parametrization of…
New data from the BaBar, Belle, and CLEO Collaborations on B decays to two-body charmless final states are analyzed, with the following consequences: (1) The penguin amplitude which dominates the decay $B^+ \to \pi^+ K^{*0}$ has a magnitude…
Penguin diagrams for decays such as $b\to (s,d)\gamma$ involve virtual loops of $u$ or other light quarks. Logarithms of the virtual quark mass could, in principle, influence the phenomenological analysis of the decay. It is thus important…
We summarize some persistent problems in scalar spectroscopy and discuss what could be learned here from charmless B-decays. Recent experimental results are discussed in comparison with theoretical expectations: a simple model based on…
We analyze the decay $B\to \phi K$ within the framework of QCD-improved factorization. We found that although the twist-3 kaon distribution amplitude dominates the spectator interactions, it will suppress the decay rates slightly. The weak…
Over the last two decades, $B \to \pi K$ modes have received a lot of attention. They are particularly interesting since the main contribution to these decays comes from QCD penguin topologies. Furthermore, electroweak penguin amplitudes…
We show that any new physics (NP) which affects B decays with penguin contributions can be absorbed by redefinitions of the standard-model (SM) diagrammatic amplitudes. Hence, there are no clean signals of NP in such decays unless there is…
Recent CP violation results in B decays suggest that Z penguins may have large weak phase. This can be realized by the four generation (standard) model. Concurrently, B to Xs l+ l- and Bs mixing allow for sizable Vt's* Vt'b only if it is…
In this talk I give an introduction to methods used to give a model independent description of QCD effects in B-decays. I discuss three useful expansions: mb/mW << 1 for the electroweak Hamiltonian, LambdaQCD/mb << 1 for Heavy Quark…
The $B \to \kappa \bar \kappa$ decays are investigated for the first time in the perturbative QCD formalism based on the $k_T$ factorization theorem, where the light scalar $\kappa$ is assumed as a two-quark state. Our numerical results and…
In the recent literature, constraints on the CKM angle $\gamma$ arising from the branching ratios for $B^\pm\to\pi^\pm K$ and $B_d\to\pi^\mp K^\pm$ decays received a lot of attention. An important theoretical limitation of the accuracy of…
The $B\to \pi\pi$ hadronic matrix element of the chromomagnetic dipole operator $O_{8g}$ (gluonic penguin) is calculated using the QCD light-cone sum rule approach. The resulting sum rule for $<\pi\pi |O_{8g}|B>$ contains, in addition to…
Long-distance contributions of operators of the effective non-leptonic weak Hamiltonian containing charmed currents have been recently studied. Penguin-like contractions of these operators, denoted as charming penguins, have been shown to…
We suggest a new technique to determine the CKM phase $\gamma$ {\em without} neglecting the (soft) final state rescattering effects. We use (time integrated) $B$ meson decay rates to $\pi$'s and $K$'s. A set of 5 $\Delta S = 0$ (or 1…
The LHCb collaboration has recently reported the first observation of CP violation in the penguin-dominated $B^0_s\to K^-K^+$ decay and further new measurements, indicating differences between the direct CP asymmetries of both the $B^0_s\to…
Non-leptonic $B$ decays into charmless final states offer an important laboratory to study CP violation and the dynamics of strong interactions. Particularly interesting are $B^0_s\to K^-K^+$ and $B^0_d\to\pi^-\pi^+$ decays, which are…
We use QCD light-cone sum rules to examine the B -> pi pi hadronic matrix element of the current-current operator with c quarks in the penguin topology (``charming penguin'') as a potential source of the substantial O(1/m_b) effects. Our…