Standard Model predictions for $B\to K\ell^+\ell^-$, $B\to K\ell_1^- \ell_2^+$ and $B\to K\nu\bar{\nu}$ using form factors from $N_f=2+1+1$ lattice QCD

TL;DR

This paper uses advanced lattice QCD calculations to predict Standard Model decay rates for B meson decays involving K mesons and leptons, revealing tensions with experimental data that suggest possible new physics or the need for model adjustments.

Contribution

It provides the most precise Standard Model predictions for B to K decay form factors and branching fractions, incorporating recent lattice QCD results with reduced uncertainties across the full q^2 range.

Findings

Standard Model branching fractions exceed LHCb results below J/ψ mass with up to 4.2σ tension.

Applying shifts to Wilson coefficients reduces tensions, aligning better with experimental data.

Achieves 7% uncertainties for lepton-flavour-violating decay form factors and below 10% for B to K neutrino decays.

Abstract

We use HPQCD's recent lattice QCD determination of $B \to K$ scalar, vector and tensor form factors to determine Standard Model differential branching fractions for $B \to K \ell^+\ell^-$, $B\to K \ell_1^+\ell_2^-$ and $B \to K\nu \overline{\nu}$. These form factors are calculated across the full $q^2$ range of the decay and have smaller uncertainties than previous work, particularly at low $q^2$. For $B \to K \ell^+ \ell^-$ we find the Standard Model branching fraction in the $q^2$ region below the squared $J/\psi$ mass to exceed the LHCb results, with tensions as high as $4.2\sigma$ for $B^+\to K^+\mu^+\mu^-$. For the high $q^2$ region we see $2.7\sigma$ tensions. The tensions are much reduced by applying shifts to Wilson coefficients $C_9$ and $C_{10}$ in the effective weak Hamiltonian, moving them away from their Standard Model values consistent with those indicated by other $B$ phenomenology. We also update results for lepton-flavour ratios $R^{\mu}_e$ and $R^{\tau}_{\mu}$ and the `flat term', $F_H^{\ell}$ in the differential branching fraction for $\ell\in\{e,\mu,\tau\}$. Our results for the form-factor-dependent contributions needed for searches for lepton-flavour-violating decays $B\to K\ell^-_1\ell^+_2$ achieve uncertainties of 7%. We also compute the branching fraction $\mathcal{B}(B\to K\nu\bar{\nu})$ with an uncertainty below 10%, for comparison with future experimental results.