Decays of $B$ Mesons to Two Light Pseudoscalars

Abstract

The decays $B \to PP$, where $P$ denotes a pseudoscalar meson, are analyzed, with emphasis on charmless final states. Numerous triangle relations for amplitudes hold within SU(3) symmetry, relating (for example) the decays $B^+ \to \pi^+ \pi^0,~ \pi^0 K^+$, and $\pi^+ K^0$. Such relations can improve the possibilities for early detection of $CP$-violating asymmetries. Within the context of a graphical analysis of decays, relations are analyzed among SU(3) amplitudes which hold if some graphs are neglected. One application is that measurements of the rates for the above three $B^+$ decays and their charge-conjugates can be used to determine a weak CKM phase. With measurements of the remaining rates for $B$ decays to $\pi \pi,~\pi K$, and $K \bar K$, one can obtain two CKM phases and several differences of strong phase shifts.