Comparing B -> X_u l nu_l to B -> X_s gamma

We suggest a method to determine V_ub / V_ts through a comparison of B -> X_u l nu_l and B -> X_s gamma. The relevant quantity is the spectrum of the light-cone component of the final state hadronic momentum, which in B -> X_s gamma is the photon energy while in B -> X_u l nu_l this requires a measurement of both hadronic energy and hadronic invariant mass. The non-perturbative contributions at tree level to these distributions are identical and may be cancelled by taking the ratio of the spectra. Radiative corrections to this comparison are discussed to order alpha_s and are combined with the non-perturbative contributions.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures. One Paragraph added, Version published in Phys.Rev. D6

On the Renormalization of Heavy Quark Effective Field Theory

The construction of heavy quark effective field theory (HqEFT) is extended to arbitrary order in both expansion parameters $\alpha_s$ and $1/m_q$. Matching conditions are discussed for the general case, and it is verified that this approach correctly reproduces the infrared behaviour of full QCD. Choosing a renormalization scheme in the full theory fixes the renormalization scheme in the effective theory except for the scale of the heavy quark field. Explicit formulae are given for the effective Lagrangian, and one--loop matching renormalization constants are computed for the operators of order $1/m$. Finally, the multiparticle sector of HqEFT is considered.Comment: 16 pages, IKDA 93/2

Enhanced electroweak penguin amplitude in B-->VV decays

We discuss a novel electromagnetic penguin contribution to the transverse helicity amplitudes in B decays to two vector mesons, which is enhanced by two powers of mB/Lambda relative to the standard penguin amplitudes. This leads to unique polarization signatures in penguin-dominated decay modes such as B-->rho K* similar to polarization effects in the radiative decay B-->K*gamma, and offers new opportunities to probe the magnitude and chirality of flavour-changing neutral current couplings to photons.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Non-perturbative effects in semi-leptonic B_c decays

We discuss the impact of the soft degrees of freedom inside the B_c meson on its rate in the semi-leptonic decay B_c -> X l nu_l where X denotes light hadrons below the D^0 threshold. In particular we identify contributions involving soft hadrons which are non-vanishing in the limit of massless leptons. These contributions become relevant for a measurement of the purely leptonic B_c decay rate, which due to helicity suppression involves a factor m_l^2 and thus is much smaller than the contributions involving soft hadrons.Comment: LaTeX, 22 pages, 1 figur

The Renormalization Group Evolution of the CKM Matrix

We compute the renormalization of the complete CKM matrix in the MSbar scheme and perform a renormalization group analysis of the CKM parameters. The calculation is simplified by studying only the Higgs sector, which for the \beta-function of the CKM matrix is at one loop the same as in the full Standard Model. The renormalization group flow including QCD corrections can be computed analytically using the hierarchy of the CKM parameters and the large mass differences between the quarks. While the evolution of the Cabibbo angle is tiny V_{ub} and V_{cb} increase sizably. We compare our results with the ones in the full Standard Model.Comment: Latex, 31 pages, extensions amsmath, epsfig required The complete paper, including figures, is also available via anonymous ftp at ftp://ttpux2.physik.uni-karlsruhe.de/, or via www at http://www-ttp.physik.uni-karlsruhe.de/cgi-bin/preprints

Radiatively corrected shape function for inclusive heavy hadron decays

We discuss the non-perturbative and the radiative corrections to inclusive B decays from the point of view known from QED corrections to high energy e^+ e^- processes. Here the leading contributions can be implemented through the so called ``radiator function'' which corresponds to the shape function known in heavy hadron decays. In this way some new insight into the origin of the shape function is obtained. As a byproduct, a parameterization of the radiatively corrected shape function is suggested which can be implemented in Monte Carlo studies of inclusive heavy hadron decays.Comment: LaTeX, uses a4, graphicx and psfrag, 10 pages. The complete paper is also available at http://www-ttp.physik.uni-karlsruhe.de/Preprints