Extraction of $\gamma$ from three-body B decays

Abstract

The conventional use of two-body B decays to extract $\gamma$, although theoretically clean, is currently statistics-limited. On the other hand, a bulk of data on three-body B decays is available from $B$ factories. Applying the flavor-SU(3)-symmetric approach proposed in Ref.\ \cite{ReyLeLorier:2011ww} to \babar data, we find the highly promising result $\gamma =(81_{-5}^{+4}(avg.)\pm 5(std.dev.){)}^{\circ }$. This establishes the use of three-body B decays as a viable alternative for the extraction of weak phases. In this preliminary analysis we have neglected several sources of uncertainties such as the effect of flavor-SU(3) breaking due to meson masses, and error correlations between input experimental parameters. A better understanding of these will improve the viability of this method.

Comments: Proceedings of CKM 2012, the 7th International Workshop on the CKM Unitarity Triangle, University of Cincinnati, USA, 28 September - 2 October 2012