Explaining the $B \to K^\ast \mu^+ \mu^-$ data with scalar interactions

Abstract

Recent LHCb results on the decay $B \to K^\ast \mu^+ \mu^-$ show significant deviations from the SM estimates in some of the angular correlations. In this paper we study the possibility of explaining these deviations using new scalar interactions. We show that new dimension-6 four-quark operators of scalar and pseudo-scalar type can successfully account for the discrepancies even after being consistent with other experimental measurements. We also briefly discuss possible extensions of the Standard Model where these operators can be generated.