No Arabic abstract
We report on determinations of |Vub| resulting from studies of the branching fraction and q^2 distributions in exclusive semileptonic B decays that proceed via the b->u transition. Our data set consists of the 9.7x10^6 BBbar meson pairs collected at the Y(4S) resonance with the CLEO II detector. We measure B(B0 -> pi- l+ nu) = (1.33 +- 0.18 +- 0.11 +- 0.01 +- 0.07)x10^{-4} and B(B0 -> rho- l+ nu) = (2.17 +- 0.34 +0.47/-0.54 +- 0.41 +- 0.01)x10^{-4}, where the errors are statistical, experimental systematic, systematic due to residual form-factor uncertainties in the signal, and systematic due to residual form-factor uncertainties in the cross-feed modes, respectively. We also find B(B+ -> eta l+ nu) = (0.84 +- 0.31 +- 0.16 +- 0.09)x10^{-4}, consistent with what is expected from the B -> pi l nu mode and quark model symmetries. We extract |Vub| using Light-Cone Sum Rules (LCSR) for 0<= q^2<16 GeV^2 and Lattice QCD (LQCD) for 16 GeV^2 <= q^2 < q^2_max. Combining both intervals yields |Vub| = (3.24 +- 0.22 +- 0.13 +0.55/-0.39 +- 0.09)x10^{-3}$ for pi l nu, and |Vub| = (3.00 +- 0.21 +0.29/-0.35 +0.49/-0.38 +-0.28)x10^{-3} for rho l nu, where the errors are statistical, experimental systematic, theoretical, and signal form-factor shape, respectively. Our combined value from both decay modes is |Vub| = (3.17 +- 0.17 +0.16/-0.17 +0.53/-0.39 +-0.03)x10^{-3}.
A form factor reweighting technique has been elaborated to permit relatively easy comparisons between different form factor models applied to exclusive B --> X l nu decays. The software tool developped for this purpose is described. It can be used with any event generator, three of which were used in this work: ISGW2, PHSP and FLATQ2, a new powerful generator. The software tool allows an easy and reliable implementation of any form factor model. The tool has been fully validated with the ISGW2 form factor hypothesis. The results of our present studies indicate that the combined use of the FLATQ2 generator and the form factor reweighting tool should play a very important role in future exclusive |Vub| measurements, with largely reduced errors.
B --> rho l nu decay is analyzed in the effective theory of heavy quark with infinite mass limit. The matrix element relevant to the heavy to light vector meson semileptonic decays is parametrized by a set of four heavy flavor-spin independent universal wave functions at the leading order of effective theory. The form factors are calculated at the leading 1/m_Q order using the light cone sum rule method in the framework of effective theory. |V_{ub}| is then extracted via B --> rho l nu decay mode.
We measure the decay constant fDs using the Ds -> l+ nu channel, where the l+ designates either a mu+ or a tau+, when the tau+ -> pi+ nu. Using both measurements we find fDs = 274 +-13 +- 7 MeV. Combining with our previous determination of fD+, we compute the ratio fDs/fD+ = 1.23 +- 0.11 +- 0.04. We compare with theoretical estimates.
We study the impact of next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD corrections on partial decay rates in B --> X_u l nu decays, at leading-order in the 1/m_b expansion for shape-function kinematics. These corrections are implemented within a modified form of the BLNP framework, which allows for arbitrary variations of the jet scale mu_i sim 1.5 GeV. Our analysis includes a detailed comparison between resummed and fixed-order perturbation theory, and between the complete NNLO results and those obtained in the large-$beta_0$ approximation. For the default choice mu_i=1.5 GeV used in current extractions of |V_ub| within the BLNP framework, the NNLO corrections induce significant downward shifts in the central values of partial decay rates with cuts on the hadronic variable P_+, the hadronic invariant mass, and the lepton energy. At the same time, perturbative uncertainties are reduced, especially those at the jet scale, which are the dominant ones at next-to-leading order (NLO). For higher values of mu_i and in fixed-order perturbation theory, the shifts between NLO and NNLO are more moderate. We combine our new results with known power-suppressed terms in order to illustrate the implications of our analysis on the determination of |V_ub| from inclusive decays.
The calculation of partial decay rates in B --> X_u l nu decays at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in alpha_s and to leading order in 1/m_b is described. New results for the hard function are combined with known results for the jet function and shape-function moments in a numerical analysis which explores the impact of the NNLO corrections on partial decay rates and the determination of |V_{ub}|.