Can a Measurement of the $B_{s} - {\overline{B}}_{s}$ Mass Difference Establish the CKM Paradigm?

Abstract

We present a reanalysis of the allowed region in the $\rho - \eta \,$ plane of the CKM matrix, which follows from our present knowledge of the theoretical and experimental parameters associated with quark mixing and CP violation. Besides providing updated expectations for the angles of the unitarity triangle, this reanalysis predicts a range of allowed values for the $B_{s} - {\overline{B}}_{s} \,$ mass difference $\Delta m_{s}$. We argue that while values of $\Delta m_{s} \lsim 10 (ps)^{-1}$ could be consistent with a non-CKM origin for CP violation in the neutral Kaon system, larger values for $\Delta m_{s}$ would provide strong support for the CKM paradigm.