Analysis of new charmless strange B decay data leaves high $B\to K{\eta }^{\prime }$ and $B\to K{\eta }^{\prime }X$ still unexplained

Abstract

The question of whether the anomalously large $B\to K{\eta }^{\prime }$ and $B\to K{\eta }^{\prime }X$ (inclusive) branching ratios are consistent with the standard model or a sign of new physics is still open and in the experimental court. The nature of the extra hadron $X$ in $B\to K{\eta }^{\prime }X$ is completely unknown. Directions for investigation and analysis of inclusive data are suggested as well as for comparable inclusive data on $B\to K\eta X$. New data confirming the prediction $BR(K^{\pm }{\rho }^o)=BR(K^{\pm }\omega )$ support flavor-topology $B\to VP$ sum rules based on the OZI rule and emphasize the sharp contrast with the failure of the analogous $B\to PP$ sum rule due to the anomalously large $BR(B\to K{\eta }^{\prime })$. Confirmation of OZI validity in B-decay analyses for VP final states suggests improving data on the analogous neutral decay difference $BR(B^o\to K^o{\rho }^o)-BR(B^o\to K^o\omega )$ which measures tree-penguin interference and possible direct CP violation. A successful approximate isospin sum rule is rearranged and reinterpreted to pinpoint tree-penguin interference in $B\to K\pi$ and $B\to K\rho$ transitions. The magnitude of the interference is shown to still be at the statistical noise level with present data.

Comments: 11 pages, 6 figures