Measurements of branching fractions for B --> K pi and B --> pi pi decays

We report measurements of branching fractions for B --> K pi and B --> pi pi decays based on a data sample of 449 x 10(6) BB[over] pairs collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. We also measure the ratios of partial widths for B-->Kpi decays, namely R(c) identical with 2Gamma(B(+) --> K(+) pi(0))/Gamma(B(+) --> K(0) pi(+)) = 1.08+/-0.06+/-0.08 and R(n) identical with Gamma(B(0) --> K(+) pi(-))/2 Gamma(B(0) --> K(0) pi(0)) = 1.08+/-0.08+/-0.08, where the first and the second errors are statistical and systematic, respectively. These ratios are sensitive to enhanced electroweak penguin contributions from new physics; the new measurements are, however, consistent with standard model expectations.     

Observation of a significant excess of pi0pi0 events in B meson decays

We present a study of the decay B0-->pi(0)pi(0) based on a sample of 124 x 10(6) BB pairs recorded by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B Factory at SLAC. We observe 46+/-13+/-3 events, where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic, corresponding to a significance of 4.2 standard deviations including systematic uncertainties. We measure the branching fraction B(B0-->pi(0)pi(0))=(2.1+/-0.6+/-0.3)x10(-6), averaged over B0 and B(0) decays.     

The $ B\to\pi K$ puzzle and its relation to rare B and K decays

The standard-model interpretation of the ratios of charged and neutral rates, R _c and R _n, respectively, points towards a puzzling picture. Since these observables are affected significantly by colour-allowed electroweak (EW) penguins, this puzzle could be a manifestation of new physics in the EW penguin sector. Performing the analysis in the R _n- R _c plane, which is very suitable for monitoring various effects, we demonstrate that we may, in fact, move straightforwardly to the experimental region in this plane through an enhancement of the relevant EW penguin parameter q. We derive analytical bounds for q in terms of a quantity L, which measures the violation of the Lipkin sum rule, and point out that strong phases around are favoured by the data, in contrast to QCD factorisation. The modes imply a correlation between q and the angle that, in the limit of negligible rescattering effects and colour-suppressed EW penguins, depends only on the value of L. Concentrating on a minimal flavour-violating new-physics scenario with enhanced Z ⁰ penguins, we find that the current experimental values on require roughly . As the data give , L has either to move to smaller values once the data improve or new sources of flavour and CP violation are needed. In turn, the enhanced values of L seen in the data could be accompanied by enhanced branching ratios for the rare decays , , and . Most interesting turns out to be the correlation between the modes and , with the latter depending approximately on a single scaling variable .Received: 8 September 2003, Published online: 12 November 2003     

Isospin amplitudes and CP violation in (B \to K \pi) decays

We present a simple isospin invariant parametrization for decay amplitudes which consistently includes CP violation and (quasi-elastic) hadronic final state interactions. We find that the observed decays do not lead to a significant bound on the angle of the unitarity triangle. On the other hand, we claim that a sizeable CP violation asymmetry in rates is by no means excluded. Received: 9 June 1998 / Published online: 8 September 1998     

Gluonic penguin contribution to B \rightarrow \pi \pi decays

We use the light-cone sum rule technique to calculate the contribution of the gluonic penguin operator O _8g to the decay of the B-meson to two pions. Leading-order perturbative and non-perturbative corrections are included, corresponding to hard and soft exchanged gluons, respectively. While the overall contribution of this operator to the decay is small as expected before, we find that the so-called soft-gluon part of this contribution is of the order of the hard-gluon one. This implies that the inclusion of soft gluons in the calculation of matrix elements may be important.Received: 30 September 2002, Published online: 22 October 2003PACS: 13.25.Hw Hadronic decays of mesons: Decays of bottom mesons - 11.55.Hx Sum rules     

A general analysis of \gamma determinations from B\to\pi K decays

We present a general parametrization of , and , decays, taking into account both electroweak penguin and rescattering effects. This formalism allows – among other things – a generalized implementation of the strategies that were recently proposed by Neubert and Rosner to probe the CKM angle with the help of , decays. In particular, it allows us to investigate the sensitivity of the extracted value of to the basic assumptions of their approach. We find that certain rescattering processes may have an important impact and emphasize that additional hadronic uncertainties may be due to non-factorizable SU(3)-breaking effects. The former can be controlled by using SU(3) flavour symmetry arguments and additional experimental information provided by modes. We propose a new strategy to probe the angle with the help of the neutral decays , , which is theoretically cleaner than the , approach. Here rescattering processes can be taken into account by just measuring the CP-violating observables of the decay . Finally, we point out that an experimental analysis of modes would also be very useful to probe the CKM angle , as well as electroweak penguins, and we critically compare the virtues and weaknesses of the various approaches discussed in this paper. As a by-product, we point out a strategy to include the electroweak penguins in the determination of the CKM angle from decays. Received: 14 June 1999 / Published online: 28 September 1999     

Measurement of branching fractions and charge asymmetries in B+ decays to eta pi+, eta K+, eta rho+, and eta' pi+, and search for B0 decays to eta K0 and eta omega

We present measurements of branching fractions and charge asymmetries for six B-meson decay modes with an eta or eta(') meson in the final state. The data sample corresponds to 232 x 10(6) BB pairs collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) B Factory at SLAC. We measure the branching fractions (in units of 10(-6)): B(B+ -->eta pi(+))=5.1+/-0.6+/-0.3, B(B+ etaK+)=3.3+/-0.6+/-0.3, B(B0-->etaK0)=1.5+/-0.7+/-0.1 (<2.5 at 90% C.L.), B(B+-->eta rho(+))=8.4+/-1.9+/-1.1, B(B0-->eta omiga)=1.0+/-0.5+/-0.2 (<1.9 at 90% C.L.), and B(B+-->eta(')pi(+))=4.0+/-0.8+/-0.4, where the first uncertainty is statistical and second systematic. For the charged modes we also determine the charge asymmetries, all found to be compatible with zero.     

Meson decays of hypertritium

Using ³ H and³He wave functions found by multiparameter variation calculations with N-potentials consistent with fundamental hypernuclear data and Afnan-Tang and Malfiet-Tjon type NN-potentials, the fraction of two particle ^–-decays in the total number of ^–-decays in ³ H is calculated and the ³ H lifetime is estimated. The results obtained are compared with experimental data on decay and binding energy of ³ H.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 3, pp. 44–48, March, 1988.     

Observation of B0-->omega K0, B+-->eta pi+, and B+-->eta K+ and study of related decays

We present measurements of branching fractions and charge asymmetries for seven B-meson decays with an eta, eta', or omega meson in the final state. The data sample corresponds to 89x10(6) BB pairs produced from e(+)e(-) annihilation at the Upsilon(4S) resonance. We measure the following branching fractions in units of 10(-6): B(B+-->eta pi(+))=5.3+/-1.0+/-0.3, B(B+-->eta K+)=3.4+/-0.8+/-0.2, B(B0-->eta K0)=2.9+/-1.0+/-0.2 (<5.2, 90% C.L.), B(B+-->eta(')pi(+))=2.7+/-1.2+/-0.3 (<4.5, 90% C.L.), B(B+-->omega pi(+))=5.5+/-0.9+/-0.5, B(B+-->omega K+)=4.8+/-0.8+/-0.4, and B(B0-->omega K0)=5.9(+1.6)(-1.3)+/-0.5. The charge asymmetries are A(ch)(B+-->eta pi(+))=-0.44+/-0.18+/-0.01, A(ch)(B+-->eta K+)=-0.52+/-0.24+/-0.01, A(ch)(B+-->omega pi(+))=0.03+/-0.16+/-0.01, and A(ch)(B+-->omega K+)=-0.09+/-0.17+/-0.01.     

Meson decays of the glueball

We estimate the decay widths of the 0^±-glueballs by taking account of the mixings with η and η′ through their anomalous coupling. We find a pseudoscalar glueball with a broad decay width, if its mass is larger than m_δ(980) + m_π. On the other hand, a scalar glueball has a narrow decay width. Assuming E(1440) to be the pseudoscalar glueball, we predict Γ_δ(980)ππ≈ 40 MeV.     

Observation of B decays to two kaons

Using 449x10(6) BB[over ] pairs collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider, we observe clear signals for B(+)-->K[over ](0)K(+) and B(0)-->K[over ](0)K(0) decays with 5.3sigma and 6.0sigma significance, respectively. We measure the branching fractions B(B(+)-->K[over ](0)K(+))=(1.22(-0.28-0.16)(+0.32+0.13))x10(-6) and B(B(0)-->K[over ](0)K(0))=(0.87(-0.20)(+0.25)+/-0.09)x10(-6), and partial-rate asymmetries A(CP)(B(+)-->K[over ](0)K(+))=0.13(-0.24)(+0.23)+/-0.02 and A(CP)(B(0)-->K[over ](0)K(0))=-0.58(-0.66)(+0.73)+/-0.04. From a simultaneous fit, we also obtain B(B(+)-->K(0)pi(+))=(22.8(-0.7)(+0.8)+/-1.3)x10(-6) and A(CP)(B(+)-->K(0)pi(+))=0.03+/-0.03+/-0.01. The first and second error in the branching fractions and the partial-rate asymmetries are statistical and systematic, respectively. No signal is observed for B(0)-->K(+)K(-) decays, and for this branching fraction, we set an upper limit of 4.1x10(-7) at the 90% confidence level.     

Meson hyperfine splittings and leptonic decays

The ³S-¹S mass separations of the bound quark-antiquark systems, as arising from one-gluon exchange, in the charm color quartet scheme, are discussed for the ground mesons and their first radial excitations expecially in connection to leptonic decay rates. Overall consistency requires large modifications for the positronium-like formulae for annihilation and the possible role in this direction of an outstanding gluon radiative correction to the leptonic width is pointed out.