Decays of<i>B</i>mesons to two light pseudoscalars

Abstract

The decays B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}PP, where P denotes a light pseudoscalar meson, are analyzed. Numerous triangle relations for amplitudes hold within flavor SU(3) symmetry, relating (for example) the decays ${\mathit{B}}^{+}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{+}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{0}$, ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{0}$${\mathit{K}}^{+}$, and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{+}$${\mathit{K}}^{0}$. Such relations can improve the possibilities for learning about phases of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix and for early detection of CP-violating asymmetries. Within the context of a graphical analysis of decays, relations are analyzed among SU(3) amplitudes which hold if some graphs are neglected. These relations allow the determination of weak and strong phases from rate measurements alone. Estimates of SU(3) breaking are included.