Anatomy of $B^{0}_{s,d} \to J/\psi f_{0}(980)$

The \(B^{0}_{s}\to J/\psi f_{0}(980)\) decay offers an interesting experimental alternative to the well-known \(B^{0}_{s}\to J/\psi \phi\) channel for the search of CP-violating New-Physics contributions to \(B^{0}_{s}\)–\(\bar{B}^{0}_{s}\) mixing. As the hadronic structure of the f ₀(980) has not yet been settled, we take a critical look at the implications for the relevant observables and address recent experimental data. It turns out that the effective lifetime of \(B^{0}_{s}\to J/\psi f_{0}(980)\) and its mixing-induced CP asymmetry S are quite robust with respect to hadronic effects and thereby allow us to search for a large CP-violating \(B^{0}_{s}\)–\(\bar{B}^{0}_{s}\) mixing phase ? _s , which is tiny in the Standard Model. However, should small CP violation, i.e. in the range ?0.1?S?0, be found in \(B^{0}_{s}\to J/\psi f_{0}(980)\), it will be crucial to constrain hadronic corrections in order to distinguish possible New-Physics effects from the Standard Model. We point out that \(B^{0}_{d}\to J/\psi f_{0}(980)\), which has not yet been measured, is a key channel in this respect and discuss the physics potential of this decay.