Related papers: B -> pi pi, New Physics in B -> pi K and Implicati…
We summarize a recent strategy for a global analysis of the B -> pi pi, pi K systems and rare decays. We find that the present B -> pi pi and B -> pi K data cannot be simultaneously described in the Standard Model. In a simple extension in…
The recent observation of B_d -> pi^0 pi^0 at the B factories with a surprisingly large branching ratio represents a challenge for theory, and complements the amazingly small B_d -> pi^+ pi^- rate. We point out that all puzzling B -> pi pi…
Recently, we developed a strategy to analyse the B -> pi pi,pi K data. We found that the B -> pi pi measurements can be accommodated in the Standard Model (SM) through large non-factorizable effects. On the other hand, our analysis of the…
The $B\to\pi K$ decays with significant electroweak penguin contributions show a puzzling pattern. We explore this "$B\to\pi K$ puzzle" through a systematic strategy. The starting point, which is essentially unaffected by electroweak…
The Standard-Model interpretation of the ratios of charged and neutral B-> pi K rates, R_c and R_n, respectively, points towards a puzzling picture. Since these observables are affected significantly by colour-allowed electroweak (EW)…
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^+…
We analyse the B -> pi pi, pi K modes in the light of the most recent B-factory data, and obtain the following new results: (i) the B0 -> pi+ pi-, pi- K+ modes prefer gamma=(74+-6)deg, which - together with |V_ub/V_cb| - allows us to…
We discuss the theoretical interpretation of the $B\to\pi K$ system in the light of new data. Using the branching ratio and direct CP asymmetry of $B^0_d\to\pi^-K^+$, the picture of the direct CP violation in $B_d^0\to\pi^+\pi^-$ could 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…
Recently, we have seen interesting progress in the exploration of CP violation in B^0_d -> pi^+ pi^-: the measurements of mixing-induced CP violation by the BaBar and Belle collaborations are now in good agreement with each other, whereas…
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…
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…
With the wealth of new data from the B-factories, b -> d penguin decays become available for study, in addition to their b -> s counterparts that have proven an indespensable tool for the exploration of new-physics effects in flavour…
Some discrepancies between theory and experiment in the B -> pi K decays suggest the possibility of a new physics contribution with the structure of an electroweak penguin amplitude. If such a scenario is realised in nature, the branching…
The 2.5 sigma discrepancy between theory and experiment observed in the difference A_CP(B^- --> pi^0 K^-)-A_CP(Bbar^0 --> pi^+ K^-) can be explained by a new electroweak penguin amplitude. Motivated by this result, we analyse the purely…
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…
We update the profile of the CKM matrix. The apex (rhobar,etabar) of the Unitarity Triangle is given by means of a global fit. We propose to include therein sin2alpha from the CP-violating asymmetries in B0->rho+rho-, using isospin to…
The $B\to\pi\pi,\pi K$ system offers a powerful laboratory to probe strong and weak interactions. Using the isospin symmetry, we determine hadronic $B\to\pi\pi$ parameters from data where new measurements of direct CP violation in…
We discuss about a possibility of large electroweak penguin contribution in B -> K pi and pi pi from recent experimental data. The experimental data may be suggesting that there are some discrepancies between the data and theoretical…
We analyze the rare decay mode $B \to \phi \pi $, which is a pure penguin induced process, receiving dominant contribution from the electroweak penguins. Thus the standard model branching ratio is expected to be very small, which makes it…