Observation of B→ϕKB\to \phi K and B→ϕK∗B\to \phi K^{*}

We have studied two-body charmless hadronic decays of $B$ mesons into the final states phi K and phi K^*. Using 9.7 million $B\bar{B}$ pairs collected with the CLEO II detector, we observe the decays B- -> phi K- and B0 -> phi K*0 with the following branching fractions: BR(B- -> phi K-)=(5.5 +2.1-1.8 +- 0.6) x 10^{-6} and BR(B0 -> phi K*0)=(11.5 +4.5-3.7 +1.8-1.7) x 10^{-6}. We also see evidence for the decays B0 -> phi K0 and B- -> phi K*-. However, since the statistical significance is not overwhelming for these modes we determine upper limits of <12.3 x 10^{-6} and <22.5 x 10^{-6} (90% C.L.) respectively.Comment: 9 pages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN

Observation of B --&gt; phiK and B --&gt; phiK*.

We have studied two-body charmless hadronic decays of B mesons into the final states straight phiK and phiK(*). Using 9.7 million BandBmacr; pairs collected with the CLEO II detector, we observe the decays B- --&gt; phiK- and B0--&gt; phiK(*0) with the following branching fractions: B(B---&gt;phiK-) = (5.5(+2.1)(-1.8)+/-0.6)x10(-6) and B(B0--&gt; phiK(*0)) = (11.5(+4.5+1.8)(-3.7-1.7))x10(-6). We also see evidence for the decays B0--&gt;phiK0 and B---&gt; phiK(*-). However, since the statistical significance is not overwhelming for these modes, we determine upper limits of &lt;12.3x10(-6) and &lt;22.5x10(-6) ( 90% confidence level), respectively