Large Hadronic Effects in $B \to K^* \mu\mu$?

Abstract

Recent results from LHCb have confirmed the long-standing $P_5^\prime$ anomaly, an intriguing discrepancy in the angular distribution of the $B \to K^* \mu^+\mu^-$ decay that might be a sign of new physics. In addition, the new results hint at a non-zero value for $S_7$, another observable that characterizes the $B \to K^* \mu^+\mu^-$ angular distribution. We stress that a non-zero $S_7$ cannot be explained by heavy new physics but instead necessarily requires a sizable hadronic effect that introduces a strong phase. We argue that, under plausible assumptions, the hadronic effect is of the correct size to also explain $P_5^\prime$. The direct CP asymmetry in $B \to K^* \mu^+\mu^-$ emerges in principle as a clean probe of new physics in such a scenario. We show that a combined fit of hadronic parameters and Wilson coefficients retains sensitivity to new physics and we find strong bounds on imaginary parts of new physics Wilson coefficients.