Exploring New Physics in $B \rightarrow \pi K$ Decays

Abstract

B-meson decays play an important role in flavour physics. The $B \rightarrow \pi K$ decays are dominated by QCD loop diagrams (penguins) but also electroweak penguins, where New Physics may enter, have a significant impact on the decay amplitude. Since measurements from B-factories indicate deviations from the Standard Model picture, we perform a state-of-the-art analysis to explore the correlation of the CP asymmetries and to get an updated picture. We propose a strategy for the optimal determination of the parameters which describe electroweak penguin effects and apply it to current data, utilising both neutral and charged $B \rightarrow \pi K$ decays. This new method can be fully exploited at the future Belle-II experiment, which will hopefully answer the question: Do these decays imply New Physics?