Difference in B^+ and B^0 Direct CP Asymmetry as Effect of a Fourth Generation

Abstract

Direct CP violation in B^0-> K^+\pi^- decay has emerged at -10% level, but the asymmetry in B^+ -> K^+\pi^0 mode is consistent with zero. This difference points towards possible New Physics in the electroweak penguin operator. We point out that a sequential fourth generation, with sizable V^*_{t's}V_{t'b} and near maximal phase, could be a natural cause. We use the perturbative QCD factorization approach for B-> K\pi amplitudes. While the B^0-> K^+\pi^- mode is insensitive to t', we critically compare t' effects on direct CP violation in B^+ -> K^+\pi^0 with b-> s\ell^+\ell^- and B_s mixing. If the K^+\pi^0-K^+\pi^- asymmetry difference persists, we predict \sin2\Phi_{B_s} to be negative.