$B \to a_1(1260) a_1(1260)$ and $b_1(1235) b_1(1235)$ decays in the perturbative QCD approach

Abstract

In this work, we study six tree-dominated $B \to a_1(1260) a_1(1260)$ and $b_1(1235) b_1(1235)$ decays in the perturbative QCD(pQCD) approach, where $a_1$($b_1$) is a $^3P_1$($^1P_1$) axial-vector meson. Based on the perturbative calculations and phenomenological analysis, we find that: (a) the CP-averaged branching ratio of $B^0 \to a_1^+ a_1^-$ decay in the pQCD approach is $54.7 \times 10^{-6}$, which agrees well with the current data and the predictions given in the QCD factorization approach within errors; (b) the numerical results for the decay rates of other five channels are found to be in the order of $10^{-6} \sim 10^{-5}$, which could be accessed at B factories and Large Hadron Collider(LHC) experiments; (c) other physical observables such as polarization fractions and direct CP-violating asymmetries are also investigated with the pQCD approach in the present work and the predictions can be confronted with the relevant experiments in the near future; (d) the different phenomenologies shown between $B \to a_1 a_1$ and $B \to b_1 b_1$ decays are expected to be tested by the ongoing LHC and forthcoming Super-B experiments, which could shed light on the typical QCD dynamics involved in these decay modes, as well as in $^3P_1$ meson $a_1$ and $^1P_1$ meson $b_1$.