Beyond the Standard Model in B Decays: Three Topics

Three new results are discussed: (a) A non-vanishing amplitude for the `wrong sign{'} kaon decay $B \to J/\Psi \bar{K}$ or its CP conjugate is shown to be a necessary condition for obtaining different CP asymmetries in $B \to J/\Psi K_{S,L}$. A significant effect would require a scale of new physics far below the weak scale, all but ruling out this possibility. (b) The leading isospin breaking contributions to the $B \to K^* \gamma$ decay amplitudes can be calculated in QCD factorization, providing a sensitive probe of the penguin sector of the effective weak Hamiltonian. New physics models which reverse the predicted $10-20$ Standard Model amplitude hierarchy could be ruled out with more precise data. (c) A slowly falling $g^* g \eta^\prime$ form factor can be ruled out using the $\eta^\prime$ spectrum obtained by ARGUS at the $\Upsilon (1S)$. The decay $b \to s g \eta^\prime$ is therefore highly suppressed and the origin of the anomalously large $B \to \eta^\prime X_s$ rate remains unknown, perhaps requiring the intervention of New Physics.