We evaluate the non-resonant decay amplitude of the process $B^pmto K^pmpi^+ pi^-$ using an approach based on final state hadronic interactions described in terms of meson exchanges. We conclude that this mechanism generates inhomogeneities in the Dalitz plot of the B decay.
We present a model for the decay $D^+to K^-pi^+pi^+$. The weak interaction part of this reaction is described using the effective weak Hamiltonian in the factorisation approach. Hadronic final state interactions are taken into account through the $Kpi$ scalar and vector form factors fulfilling analyticity, unitarity and chiral symmetry constraints. Allowing for a global phase difference between the $S$ and $P$ waves of $-65^circ$, the Dalitz plot of the $D^+to K^-pi^+pi^+$ decay, the $Kpi$ invariant mass spectra and the total branching ratio due to $S$-wave interactions are well reproduced.
We present a model for the decay D+ --> K- pi+ pi+. The weak interaction part of this reaction is described using the effective weak Hamiltonian in the factorisation approach. Hadronic final state interactions are taken into account through the Kpi scalar and vector form factors fulfilling analyticity, unitarity and chiral symmetry constraints. The model has only two free parameters that are fixed from experimental branching ratios. We show that the modulus and phase of the S wave thus obtained agree nicely with experiment up to 1.55 GeV. We perform Monte Carlo simulations to compare the predicted Dalitz plot with experimental analyses. Allowing for a global phase difference between the S and P waves of -65 degrees, the Dalitz plot of the D+ --> K- pi+ pi+ decay, the Kpi invariant mass spectra and the total branching ratio due to S-wave interactions are well reproduced.
We show that the large corrections due to final state interactions (FSI) in the D^+to pi^-pi^+pi^+, D^+_sto pi^-pi^+pi^+, and D^+to K^-pi^+pi^+ decays can be accounted for by invoking scattering amplitudes in agreement with those derived from phase shifts studies. In this way, broad/overlapping resonances in S-waves are properly treated and the phase motions of the transition amplitudes are driven by the corresponding scattering matrix elements determined in many other experiments. This is an important step forward in resolving the puzzle of the FSI in these decays. We also discuss why the sigma and kappa resonances, hardly visible in scattering experiments, are much more prominent and clearly visible in these decays without destroying the agreement with the experimental pipi and Kpi low energy S-wave phase shifts.
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, and extract gamma=(70.0^{+3.8}_{-4.3})deg, which agrees with the unitarity triangle fits. Extending our analysis to other B -> pi K modes and B^0_s -> K^+ K^- with the help of the SU(3) flavour symmetry and plausible dynamical assumptions, we find that all observables with colour-suppressed electroweak penguin contributions are measured in excellent agreement with the Standard Model. As far as the ratios R_{c,n} of the charged and neutral B -> pi K branching ratios are concerned, which are sizeably affected by electroweak penguin contributions, our Standard-Model predictions have almost unchanged central values, but significantly reduced errors. Since the new data have moved quite a bit towards these results, the B -> pi K puzzle for the CP-conserving quantities has been significantly reduced. However, the mixing-induced CP violation of B^0_d -> pi^0 K_S does look puzzling; if confirmed by future measurements, this effect could be accommodated through a modified electroweak penguin sector with a large CP-violating new-physics phase. Finally, we point out that the established difference between the direct CP asymmetries of B^+- -> pi^0 K^+- and B_d -> pi^-+ K^+- appears to be generated by hadronic and not by new physics.
We summarize a recent strategy for a global analysis of the B -> pi pi, pi K systems and rare decays. We find that the present B -> pi pi and B -> pi K data cannot be simultaneously described in the Standard Model. In a simple extension in which new physics enters dominantly through Z^0 penguins with a CP-violating phase, only certain B -> pi K modes are affected by new physics. The B -> pi pi data can then be described entirely within the Standard Model but with values of hadronic parameters that reflect large non-factorizable contributions. Using the SU(3) flavour symmetry and plausible dynamical assumptions, we can then use the B -> pi pi decays to fix the hadronic part of the B -> pi K system and make predictions for various observables in the B_d -> pi^-+ K^+- and B^+- -> pi^+- K decays that are practically unaffected by electroweak penguins. The data on the B^+- -> pi^0 K^+- and B_d -> pi^0 K modes allow us then to determine the electroweak penguin component which differs from the Standard Model one, in particular through a large additional CP-violating phase. The implications for rare K and B decays are spectacular. In particular, the rate for K_L -> pi^0 nu bar nu is enhanced by one order of magnitude, the branching ratios for B_{d,s} -> mu^+ mu^- by a factor of five, and BR(K_L -> pi^0 e^+ e^-, pi^0 mu^+ mu^-) by factors of three.