The B-->pi K Puzzle and Supersymmetry

TL;DR

This paper investigates whether supersymmetry can explain the observed discrepancies in B-->pi K decays, concluding that most SUSY models, including GNK, are unlikely to account for the puzzle, which may challenge SUSY theories.

Contribution

The study critically evaluates the ability of various SUSY models, especially GNK, to explain the B-->pi K puzzle, highlighting significant limitations and criticisms.

Findings

GNK SUSY model unlikely to explain data

Most SUSY models fail to account for the puzzle

Potential challenge to SUSY if discrepancies persist

Abstract

At present, there are discrepancies between the measurements of several observables in B-->pi K decays and the predictions of the standard model (the ``B-->pi K puzzle''). Although the effect is not yet statistically significant -- it is at the level of $\gsim 3\sigma$ -- it does hint at the presence of new physics. In this paper, we explore whether supersymmetry (SUSY) can explain the B-->pi K puzzle. In particular, we consider the SUSY model of Grossman, Neubert and Kagan (GNK). We find that it is extremely unlikely that GNK explains the B-->pi K data. We also find a similar conclusion in many other models of SUSY. And there are serious criticisms of the two SUSY models that do reproduce the B-->pi K data. If the B-->pi K puzzle remains, it could pose a problem for SUSY models.