Uncertainties from Long Range Effects in $B \to K^* γ

Abstract

We reconsider the `long-range' component of the radiative transition $B \to K^* γ$. A careful analysis of the vector dominance amplitude $B \to V_1 V_2 \to V_1 γ$ is carried out, with emphasis on the role of gauge invariance. The procedure for incorporating phenomenological $B\to V_1 V_2$ data is identified and polarization data, only recently available, is employed to estimate the magnitude of the vector dominance effect. We summarize uncertainties in the $B\to K^*γ$ radiative transition produced by long-range effects and provide sugggestions for further experimental work.