Related papers: The B -> pi K Puzzle: 2009 Update
B-meson decays play an important role in flavour physics. The $B \rightarrow \pi K$ decays are dominated by QCD loop diagrams (penguins) but also electroweak penguins, where New Physics may enter, have a significant impact on the decay…
The discrepancies found in the B->pi K decays between theory and experiment suggest the presence of new physics in the electroweak penguin sector of the theory. We show that this hypothesis can be tested more efficiently including in the…
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…
In the light of new experimental results on B -> K pi decays, we critically study the decay processes B -> K pi in a phenomenological way. Using the quark diagram approach and the currently available data, we determine the allowed values of…
Recent experiments suggest that certain B -> pi K branching ratios are inconsistent with the standard model expectations. We show that a flavor-changing Z' provides a solution to the problem. Electroweak penguin amplitudes are enhanced by…
The CP asymmetry in $B^0\to K^+\pi^-$ is expected to be similar to that in $B^+\to K^+\pi^0$. The experimental data however show $\sim 5\sigma$ difference between the two, leading to the so called $\Delta {A}_{K\pi}$ puzzle. Employing sum…
The rare decay B -> K* nu anti-nu allows a transparent study of Z penguin and other electroweak penguin effects in New Physics (NP) scenarios in the absence of dipole operator contributions and Higgs (scalar) penguin contributions that are…
we calculate the new physics contributions to seven measured decays $B \to \pi^+ \pi^-, K \pi$ and $ K \etap$ in the general two-Higgs-doublet model (Model III). Within the considered parameter space, we find that: (a) the CLEO/BaBar…
In this paper, we reexamine the new physics contributions to seven well measured $B \to PP$ decays in the standard model (SM) and the general two-Higgs-doublet model (model III) and compare the theoretical predictions with the new data.…
The difference between the CP asymmetries of the $B^0 \to K^+ \pi^-$ and $B^+ \to K^+ \pi^0$ decays has been recently confirmed with an evidence larger than $5\sigma$'s. We discuss it as a possible signal of new physics associated with new…
We propose to perform a combined analysis of $B \to \pi\pi$ and $B_s \to K^+ K^-$ modes, in the framework of a global CKM fit. The method optimizes the constraining power of these decays and allows to derive constraints on NP contributions…
An enhanced electroweak penguin amplitude due to the presence of unknown new physics can explain the discrepancies found between theory and experiment in the B -> pi K decays, in particular in A_CP(B^- -> pi^0 K^-) - A_CP(\bar{B}^0 -> pi^+…
For about twenty years, $B\to\pi K$ decays are in the focus of $B$-decay studies. We show that a correlation between the CP asymmetries of $B^0_d\to\pi^0K_{\rm S}$ reveals a tension with the Standard Model. Should it be due to New Physics,…
It is argued that, in the presence of soft final-state interactions, the diagrammatic amplitude approach adopted in many analyses of hadronic B decays into light mesons can be misleading when used to deduce the unimportance of certain decay…
We examine new-physics (NP) effects in B decays with large b -> s penguin amplitudes. Decays involving b -> d penguins are assumed to be unaffected. We consider a model-independent parametrization of such NP. We argue that NP strong phases…
If physics beyond the standard model is present in B decays, experimental measurements seem to suggest that it principally affects those processes with significant b->s penguin amplitudes. It was recently argued that, in general, such…
It is well known that one can use B -> pi pi decays to probe the CP-violating phase \alpha. In this paper we show that these same decays can be used to search for new physics. This is done by comparing two weak phases which are equal in the…
We show that the anomalies in the $B\to\pi\pi$ decay channels, {\em viz.}, the large branching ratio of $B\to\pi^0\pi^0$ and large direct CP asymmetry of $B\to\pi^+\pi^-$, can both be explained, even in the framework of existing theoretical…
We report on recent progress in studying two aspects of $B$ physics, in which penguin amplitudes play an important role: (1) Bounds on penguin pollution in $B^0(t) \to \pi^+\pi^-$ constraining CKM parameters, and a lower bound on $B^0 \to…
The role of penguin amplitudes in CP violating $B$ decays is reviewed, emphasizing recent progress in the analysis of electroweak penguin contributions. It is shown how these terms are included in a model-independent manner when measuring…