Related papers: New physics in $B \to \pi \pi$ and $B \to \pi K$ d…
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…
The measurements of B -> pi K decays have been in disagreement with the predictions of the Standard Model (SM) for some time. In this paper, we perform an update of this puzzle using the latest (2008) data. We find that the situation has…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
The measured B -> pi pi, pi K branching ratios exhibit puzzling patterns. We point out that the B -> pi pi hierarchy can be nicely accommodated in the Standard Model (SM) through non-factorizable hadronic interference effects, whereas the B…
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,…
A method to extract Standard Model(SM) CP phases involving B decays is presented. The method involves a pair of decays where one decay receives a significant $b \to d$ penguin contribution while the second has a significant $b \to s$…
A model-independent analytical analysis for charmless B decays is presented. It is demonstrated that the CP-averaging branching ratio difference $\Delta R = R_c - R_n$ in $B\to \pi K$ decays with $R_c = 2Br(\pi^0K^-)/Br(\pi^-\bar{K}^0)$ and…
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…
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 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…
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^+…
A method based on flavour SU(3) is proposed for identifying and extracting New Physics (NP) amplitudes in charmless $\Delta S=1$ $B_s$ decays using time-dependent CP asymmetries in these decays and in flavour SU(3) related $\Delta S=0$…
We perform a fit to the 2006 B -> pi K data and show that there is a disagreement with the standard model. That is, the B -> pi K puzzle is still present. In fact, it has gotten worse than in earlier years. Assuming that one new-physics…