Obtaining alpha from B-->rho+- pi-+

Abstract

We discuss how to extract the weak phase alpha from present data on B--> rho+- pi-+ decays. Introducing alpha_{eff} and constraining the difference from alpha using flavor SU(3), one arrives at alpha=(95+- 16) degrees, if a testable assumption of a small relative strong phase between the two relevant tree amplitudes is employed to distinguish between discrete ambiguities. On the long run we advocate the combined fit to B--> rho+- pi-+ and SU(3) related modes. The effect of SU(3) breaking in this approach is expected to be small, because of relatively small penguin pollution.

Comments: 4 pages, 2 figures, Talk presented at the Sixth International Conference on Hyperons, Charm and Beauty Hadrons, IIT, Chicago, June 27 - July 3, 2004