Status of the B -> pi K puzzle and its relation to B_s -> phi pi and B_s -> phi rho decays

TL;DR

This paper reviews the B -> pi K puzzle, exploring potential new physics contributions, and discusses how such scenarios could significantly enhance the branching ratios of B_s -> phi pi and B_s -> phi rho decays.

Contribution

It updates the status of the B -> pi K puzzle and analyzes the potential impact of electroweak penguin contributions on related B_s decay modes.

Findings

Discrepancies suggest possible new physics in electroweak penguins.

Branching ratios of B_s -> phi pi and B_s -> phi rho could increase by about tenfold.

Implications for future experimental tests of these decay modes.

Abstract

Some discrepancies between theory and experiment in the B -> pi K decays suggest the possibility of a new physics contribution with the structure of an electroweak penguin amplitude. If such a scenario is realised in nature, the branching ratios of the decays B_s -> phi pi and B_s -> phi rho can be enhanced by about one order of magnitude. We review and update the current status of the B -> pi K puzzle and its implications for the decays B_s -> phi pi and B_s -> phi rho.