How Isospin Violation Mocks ``New'' Physics: $\pi^0-\eta,\eta'$ Mixing in $B\to \pi\pi$ Decays

Abstract

An isospin analysis of $B\to\pi\pi$ decays yields $\sin 2\alpha$, where $\alpha$ is the usual CKM angle $\alpha\equiv arg [-V_{td}V_{tb}^\ast /(V_{ud}V_{ub}^\ast)]$, without hadronic uncertainty if isospin is a perfect symmetry. Isospin, however, is broken not only by electroweak effects but also by the u and d quark mass difference. The latter generates $\pi^0-\eta, \eta'$ mixing and converts the isospin-perfect triangle relation between the $B\to\pi\pi$ amplitudes to a quadrilateral. The combined isospin-violating effects impact the extracted value of $\sin 2\alpha$ in a significant manner, particularly if the latter is small.