Soft photon problem in leptonic B-decays

We point out at the peculiarity of B→μν_μ decay, namely the enhancement of the soft photon events which originate from the structure dependent part of the B→μν_μγ amplitude. This may be a dominant source of systematic uncertainty and compromise the projected experimental uncertainty on Γ(B→μν_μ). We show that the effect of these soft photons can be controlled if the experimental cut on identification of soft photons is lowered and especially if the better resolution in identifying the momentum of muon emerging from B→μν_μ is made. A lattice QCD computation of the relevant form factors would be highly helpful for a better numerical control over the structure dependent soft photon emission.     

Electromagnetic structure and weak decay of pseudoscalar mesons in a light-front QCD-inspired model

We study the scaling of the ³S₁-¹S₀ meson mass splitting and the pseudoscalar weak-decay constants with the mass of the meson, as seen in the available experimental data. We use an effective light-front QCD-inspired dynamical model regulated at short distances to describe the valence component of the pseudoscalar mesons. The experimentally known values of the mass splitting, decay constants (from global lattice-QCD averages) and the pion charge form factor up to 4 [GeV/c]² are reasonably described by the model.     

Study of semileptonic and nonleptonic decays of the B<Subscript>c</Subscript><Superscript>-</Superscript> meson

We evaluate semileptonic and two-meson nonleptonic decays of the B _c ^- meson in the framework of a nonrelativistic quark model. The former are done in spectator approximation using one-body current operators at the quark level. Our model reproduces the constraints of heavy-quark spin symmetry obtained in the limit of infinite heavy-quark mass. For the two-meson nonleptonic decays we work in factorization approximation. We compare our results to the ones obtained in different relativistic approaches.     

The semileptonic form factors of B and D mesons in the Quark Confinement Model

The form factors of the weak currents, which appear in the semileptonic decays of the heavy pseudoscalar mesons are calculated within the quark confinement model by taking into account, for the first time, the structure of heavy-meson vertex and the finite quark mass contribution in the heavy-quark propagators. The results are in quite good agreement with the experimental data. Received: 9 June 2000 / Accepted: 15 August 2000     

String deformations induced by retardation effects in mesons

The rotating-string model is an effective model of mesons, in which the quark and the antiquark are linked by a straight string. We previously developed a method to estimate the retardation effects in this model, but the string was still kept straight. We now go a step further and show that this kind of retardation effects cause a small deviation of the string from the straight line. We first give general arguments constraining the string shape. Then, we find analytical and numerical solutions for the string deformation induced by retardation effects. We finally discuss the influence of the curved string on the energy spectrum of the model.     

Exclusive two-body weak decays of heavy mesons

Two-body weak decays of heavy mesons are studied using a simple non-relativistic model for the meson-quark-antiquark vertex. Numerical results are compared with experimental data where possible. The properties of the amplitudes calculated suggest that dynamical factors are important in determining the nature of these decays.     

Radiative transitions in mesons in a non-relativistic quark model

In the framework of the non-relativistic quark model, an exhaustive study of radiative transitions in mesons is performed. Emphasis is placed on several points. Some traditional approximations (long-wavelength limit, non-relativistic phase space, dipole approximation for E1 transitions, Gaussian wave functions) are analyzed and their effects commented. A complete treatment using three different types of realistic quark-antiquark potential is made. The overall agreement with experimental data is quite good, but some improvements are suggested. Received: 16 October 2001 / Accepted: 18 December 2001     

Hadronic weak decays of heavy mesons and nonfactorization

The parametersχ _1,2, which measure nonfactorizable soft gluon contributions to hadronic weak decays of mesons, are updated by extracting them from the data ofD, B→PP, VP decays (P: pseudoscalar meson,V: vector meson). It is found thatχ ₂ ranges from −0.36 to −0.60 in the decays fromD→Kπ toD ⁺→φπ ⁺,D→K*π, while it is of order 10% with a positive sign inB→ψK, Dπ, D*π, Dρ decays. Therefore, the effective parametera ₂ is process dependent in charm decay, whereas it stays fairly stable inB decay. This is in accordance with the picture that nonfactorizable soft gluon effects become stronger when the relative momentum of the decay particles becomes smaller. As forD, B→VV decays, the presence of nonfactorizable terms in general prevents a possible definition of effectivea ₁ anda ₂. This is reinforced by the observation of a large longitudinal polarization fraction inB→ψK* decay, implying nonfactorizable effects contributing differently toS-, P- andD-wave amplitudes. We found thatA ₁ ^nf /A ₁>0>A ₂ ^nf /A ₂,V ^nf/V (nf standing for nonfactorization) forB→ψK* decay and 0>A ₁ ^nf /A ₁>A ₂ ^nf /A ₂,V ^nf/V forD→K*ρ decay. A measurement of longitudinally and transversely polarized decay rates Γ _L and Γ _T in color-suppressed decay modesB ⁰→D*⁰ ρ ⁰,D*⁰ ω andD ⁺→φρ ⁺ is urged.     

Hadronic weak decays of heavy mesons and nonfactorization

The parameters L_1,2, which measure nonfactorizable soft gluon contributions to hadronic weak decays of mesons, are updated by extracting them from the data of D,rBMPP,r VP decays (P: pseudoscalar meson, V: vector meson). It is found that L₂ ranges from т.36 to т.60 in the decays from DMK¥? to D⁺MJ?⁺,r DMK¥^*?, while it is of order 10% with a positive sign in BMNK,r D?,r D^*?,r DA decays. Therefore, the effective parameter a₂ is process dependent in charm decay, whereas it stays fairly stable in B decay. This is in accordance with the picture that nonfactorizable soft gluon effects become stronger when the relative momentum of the decay particles becomes smaller. As for D,r BMVV decays, the presence of nonfactorizable terms in general prevents a possible definition of effective a₁ and a₂. This is reinforced by the observation of a large longitudinal polarization fraction in BMNK^* decay, implying nonfactorizable effects contributing differently to S-, Pand D-wave amplitudes. We found that A^nf₁/A₁>0> A^nf₂/A₂,r V^nf/V (nf standing for nonfactorization) for BMNK^* decay and 0>A^nf₁/A₁>A^nf₂/A₂,r V^nf/V for DMK¥^*A decay. A measurement of longitudinally and transversely polarized decay rates &_L and &_T in colorsuppressed decay modes B¥⁰MD^*0A⁰, D^*0P and D⁺M JA⁺ is urged.     

A Simply Modified Single Pole Scenario For B → K^＊ Form Factors

We revisit the form factors of B → K^＊ by using the heavy quark limit and large energy limit, assuming that the form factors have single pole forms near the zero recoil. The deviation from the single pole model is taken into account by adding a term proportional to （v. v′ - 1）2. On the other hand, we require the form factors to obey tile large recoil symmetry relationships when v . v′ becomes very large. A self-consistent set of B → K^＊ form factors is found. This set of form factors is checked to be consistent with the experimental data aboutB → K^＊U modes.     

Signatures of chiral dynamics in the nucleon to Delta transition⋆

Utilizing the methods of chiral effective field theory we present an analysis of the electromagnetic NΔ-transition current in the framework of the non-relativistic “small scale expansion” (SSE) to leading-one-loop order. We discuss the momentum dependence of the magnetic dipole, electric quadrupole and Coulomb quadrupole transition form factors up to a momentum transfer of Q² < 0.3GeV^2. Particular emphasis is put on the identification of the role of chiral dynamics in this transition. Our analysis indicates that there is indeed non-trivial momentum dependence in the two quadrupole form factors at small Q² < 0.15GeV^2 arising from long-distance pion physics, leading, for example, to negative radii in the (real part of the) quadrupole transition form factors. We compare our results with the EMR(Q²) and CMR(Q²) multipole ratios from pion-electroproduction experiments and find a remarkable agreement up to four-momentum transfer of Q² ≈ 0.3GeV^2. Finally, we discuss the chiral extrapolation of the three transition form factors at Q² = 0, identifying rapid changes in the (real part of the) quark mass dependence of the quadrupole transition moments for pion masses below 200MeV, which arise again from long-distance pion dynamics. Our findings indicate that dipole extrapolation methods currently used in lattice QCD analyses of baryon form factors are not applicable for the chiral extrapolation of NΔ quadrupole transition form factors.     

Excited flux tube from q¯g hybrid mesons

In the framework of quark models, hybrid mesons are either seen as two-body qˉ systems with an excited flux tube connecting the quark to the antiquark or as three-body qˉg systems including a constituent gluon. In this work we show that, starting from the three-body wave function of the qˉg hybrid meson in which the gluonic degrees of freedom are averaged, the excited flux tube picture emerges as an equivalent qˉ potential. This equivalence between the excited flux tube and the constituent-gluon approach is confirmed for heavy hybrid mesons but, for the first time, it is shown to hold in the light sector too, provided the contribution of the quark dynamics is correctly taken into account.     

Helicity amplitudes and electromagnetic decays of hyperon resonances

We present results for the helicity amplitudes of the lowest-lying hyperon resonances Y^*, computed within the framework of the Bonn Constituent-Quark model, which is based on the Bethe-Salpeter approach. The seven parameters entering the model were fitted to the best-known baryon masses. Accordingly, the results for the helicity amplitudes are genuine predictions. Some hyperon resonances are seen to couple more strongly to a virtual photon with finite Q² than to a real photon. Other Y^*'s, such as the S₀₁(1670) Λ-resonance or the S₁₁(1620) Σ-resonance, couple very strongly to real photons. We present a qualitative argument for predicting the behaviour of the helicity asymmetries of baryon resonances at high Q².-1