$B \to \eta(\eta') K(\pi)$ in the Standard Model with Flavor Symmetry

Abstract

The observed branching ratios for $B\to K \eta'$ decays are much larger than factorization predictions in the Standard Model (SM). Many proposals have been made to reconcile the data and theoretical predictions. In this paper we study these decays within the SM using flavor U(3) symmetry. If small annihilation amplitudes are neglected, one needs 11 hadronic parameters to describe $B\to PP$ decays where $P$ can be one of the $\pi$, $K$, $\eta$ and $\eta'$ nonet mesons. We find that existing data are consistent with SM with flavor U(3) symmetry. We also predict several measurable branching ratios and CP asymmetries for $B \to K (\pi) \eta(\eta')$, $\eta(\eta')\eta(\eta')$ decays. Near future experiments can provide important tests for the Standard Model with flavor U(3) symmetry.