Bremsstrahlung corrections to the decay $b \to s \gamma$

Abstract

We calculate the O($\alpha_s$) gluon Bremsstrahlung corrections to the inclusive decay $b \rightarrow s \gamma$, involving the full operator basis $\hat O_1$ -- $\hat O_8$. Confirming and extending earlier calculations of Ali and Greub, we give formulas for the total decay width as well as the perturbative photon spectrum, regarding the former as a necessary part of the forthcoming complete NLO analysis. We explore in detail the renormalization scale dependence of our results and find it considerably increased.