Searching for New Physics with $B^{0} \to K^{*0} \mu^+ \mu^-$

TL;DR

This paper explores whether observed anomalies in the decay $B^0 o K^{*0} \mu^+\mu^-$ are due to new physics or hadronic effects, using statistical methods and future LHCb data projections.

Contribution

It introduces a statistical approach to distinguish between new physics and hadronic effects as sources of tension in $B^0 o K^{*0} \mu^+\mu^-$ decay observables.

Findings

Proposes a method to differentiate sources of tension in decay observables.

Analyzes the potential of future LHCb data to clarify the origin of anomalies.

Highlights the importance of non-local hadronic effects in interpreting results.

Abstract

One of the main indications for New Physics in rare $B$-decays is deduced from the tension between experimental and Standard Model predictions of the angular analysis of the $B^0 \to K^{*0} \mu^+\mu^-$ decay. There are however possible non-local hadronic effects which in principle can also explain these tensions. In this work, we consider a statistical approach for differentiating the source of the tension in $B^0 \to K^{*0} \mu^+\mu^-$ observables and we also investigate the prospects of such a comparison with future data from the LHCb experiment.