Theoretical status of epsilon'/epsilon

Abstract

The present theoretical status of the parameter for direct CP violation epsilon'/epsilon in the Standard Model is reviewed and compared with most recent experimental measurements of the same quantity. After collecting the basic expressions for epsilon'/epsilon, the situation of hadronic matrix element calculations is summarised. The matrix elements constitute the dominant source of uncertainty for theoretical determinations of epsilon'/epsilon. For central values of the input parameters, the numerical analysis then yields results which are generally below the experimental data. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed.