Theoretical Issues in Rare K, D and B Decays

Abstract

I discuss some theoretical aspects of rare $K$, $D$ and $B$ decays focusing mainly on their potential as tests of the one loop structure of the standard model. I concentrate on flavor changing neutral current processes and compare our ability to extract short distance physics in the three cases. Finally, I give some examples of the sensitivity of these decays to extensions of the standard model.

Comments: 12 pages, 4 figures. Talk presented at the Workshop on Heavy Quarks at Fixed Target, Fermilab, Batavia IL, October 10-12, 1998