Is There Still a B -> pi K Puzzle?

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 to penguin amplitudes or on the $B_s$ mixing phase. We illustrate these capabilities with a simplified analysis using the recent measurements by the LHCb Collaboration, neglecting correlations with other SM observables.

We present a method of obtaining the entire unitarity triangle from measurements of B -> pi K decay rates alone. Electroweak penguin amplitudes are included, and are related to tree operators. Discrete ambiguities are removed by comparing solutions with independent experimental data. The theoretical uncertainty in this method is rather small, in the range 5--10%.

The 2.5 sigma discrepancy between theory and experiment observed in the difference Delta ACP = ACP(B- --> pi0 K-) - ACP(Bb0 --> pi+ K-) can be explained by a new electroweak (EW) penguin amplitude. Motivated by this result, we have analyzed the purely isospin-violating decays B_s --> phi pi0 and B_s phi rho0, which are dominated by EW penguins. Our results extend the analysis in arXiv:0910.2809 and have recently been published in arXiv:1011.6319. Here we give a brief overview...

B --> K^* \pi and B --> \rho K decays involve the same quark-level processes as B --> \pi K. Analyzing the measurements of the former decays might be able to shed additional light on the new-physics hints in the current B --> \pi K data. We perform fits to B --> K^* \pi and B --> \rho K decays, and find that the data can be accommodated within the standard model. However, this agreement is due principally to the large errors in the data, particularly the CP-violating asymmetr...

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 the picture of direct CP violation is still unclear. Using the branching ratio and direct CP asymmetry of B^0_d -> pi^- K^+, this situation can be clarified. We predict A_CP^dir(B_d -> pi^+ pi^-) = -0.24+-0.04, which favours the BaBar result...

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 rule(s) following from (approximate) flavour symmetry, we show that it is possible to accommodate the observed experimental values within the standard model (SM) for a narrow range of parameters. Sub-leading terms can bring the theoretical p...

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 $B^0_d\to\pi^0\pi^0$ resolve a discrete ambiguity. With the help of the $SU(3)$ flavour symmetry, the $B\to\pi\pi$ parameters can be converted into their $B\to\pi K$ counterparts, thereby allowing us to make predictions of observables. A particularl...

The B-meson system is an interesting probe for the exploration of strong interactions, the quark-flavour sector of the Standard Model, and the search for new physics. In this programme, non-leptonic B decays, which are particularly challenging from the point of view of QCD, play a key role. After discussing strategies to deal with the corresponding hadronic matrix elements of four-quark operators and popular avenues for new physics to manifest itself in B decays, we focus on ...

We discuss the correlations of charming penguin contributions to $B\to\pi\pi$, $\pi K$ and KK using approximate flavor SU(3) symmetry. Strong constraints are found from the direct CP asymmetries especially in $\pi K$ modes. We make a global fit to the latest data and find that only a small charming penguin is allowed, and the size of color-suppressed tree amplitude (C) relative to tree amplitudes (T) remains large $C/T\simeq0.6$, which disfavors the possibility of a large cha...

At present, there are discrepancies between the measurements of several observables in B-->pi K decays and the predictions of the standard model (the ``B-->pi K puzzle''). Although the effect is not yet statistically significant -- it is at the level of $\gsim 3\sigma$ -- it does hint at the presence of new physics. In this paper, we explore whether supersymmetry (SUSY) can explain the B-->pi K puzzle. In particular, we consider the SUSY model of Grossman, Neubert and Kagan (...