Closing the knowledge gap in semileptonic $B\to X_c\ell \nu$ decays

Abstract

In this work we summarize the current status of measured exclusive semileptonic branching fractions containing charm mesons. We use the available experimental data to evaluate the difference between the sum of exclusive measurements and the inclusive determination. By including experimental results of branching fractions relative to semi-inclusive $B\to DX\ell \nu$ decays, we demonstrate that the unmeasured components of the total branching fraction are dominated by final states devoid of $D$ mesons, hinting towards sizeable contributions from baryonic final states and $D_s$ mesons. Based on the obtained fractions, we discuss candidates that could potentially close the remaining difference and propose searches for promising final states. Furthermore, we provide simplified models for S-wave $B\to D\eta \ell \nu$ and $B\to D_{s}K\ell \nu$ decays that contribute marginally to the unmeasured components of the total inclusive rate.

Comments: 14 pages, 5 charming figures