Lattice computation of structure functions

Recent lattice calculations of hadron structure functions are described.Comment: Plenary talk presented at LATTICE96, LaTeX, 7 pages, 5 figures, espcrc2.sty and epsfig.sty include

Heavy-heavy form factors and generalized factorization

We reanalyze B -> D pi and B -> K J/psi data to extract a set of parameters which give the relevant hadronic matrix elements in terms of factorized amplitudes. Various sources of theoretical uncertainties are studied, in particular those depending on the model adopted for the form factors. We find that the fit to the B -> D pi branching ratios substantially depends on the model describing the Isgur-Wise function and on the value of its slope. This dependence can be reduced by substituting the BR(B -> D pi) with suitable ratios of non-leptonic to differential semileptonic BRs. In this way, we obtain a model-independent determination of these parameters. Using these results, the B -> D form factors at q^2=M_pi^2 can be extracted from a fit of the BR(B -> D pi). The comparison between the form factors obtained in this way and the corresponding measurements in semileptonic decays can be used as a test of (generalized) factorization free from the uncertainties due to heavy-heavy form factor modeling. Finally, we present predictions for yet-unmeasured D pi and D K branching ratios and extract f_{D_s} and f_{D_s^*} from B -> DD_s decays. We find f_{D_s} = 270 +- 45 MeV and f_{D_s^*}=260 +- 40 MeV, in good agreement with recent measurements and lattice calculations.Comment: 20 pages, 16 ps/eps files, uses epsfig.sty; exp. numbers update

Charming Penguins in B decays

Full expressions of the $B^0_d \to \pi^+ \pi^-$ and $B^0_d \to \pi^0 \pi^0$ amplitudes, given in terms of matrix elements of operators of the effective weak Hamiltonian, are used to study the dependence of the relevant branching ratios on the different contributions. The uncertainty in the extraction of the weak phase $\alpha$ from the measurement of the time-dependent asymmetry in $B^0_d \to \pi^+ \pi^-$ decays is also analyzed. We find that, among several effects which may enhance the $B^0_d \to \pi^0 \pi^0$ branching ratio, the most important is due to ``charming penguin" diagrams that have never been studied before. These diagrams easily increase $BR(B^0_d \to \pi^0 \pi^0)$ up to a value of $1-3 \times 10^{-6}$. The same effect produces, however, a large error in the extraction of $\alpha$ from the measurement of the $B^0_d \to \pi^+ \pi^-$ time-dependent asymmetry. We show that it is possible to determine charming-penguin amplitudes from the experimental measurement of many decay rates. Their effect is impressive in $B^+ \to \pi^+ K^0$ and $B^0_d \to K^+ \pi^-$ decays, where charming-penguin contributions easily give values of $BR(B^+ \to \pi^+ K^0)$ and $BR(B^0_d \to K^+ \pi^-)$ of about $1 \times 10^{-5}$. Among other possibilities, we also suggest to use $B^0_d \to K^0 \bar K^0$, the BR of which can be as large as $2-3 \times 10^{-6}$, to determine the size of charming-penguin amplitudes.Comment: LaTeX, 28 pages, 8 figure

Penguin Contractions and Factorization in B -> K pi Decays

We study Lambda_{QCD}/m_B corrections to factorization in B -> K pi decays. First, we analyze these decay channels within factorization, showing that, irrespectively of the value of gamma, it is not possible to reproduce the experimental data. Then, we discuss Lambda_{QCD}/m_B corrections to these processes, and argue that there is a class of doubly Cabibbo enhanced non-factorizable contributions, usually called charming penguins, that cannot be neglected. Including these corrections, we obtain an excellent agreement with experimental data. Furthermore, contrary to what is obtained with factorization, we predict sizable rate asymmetries in B^\pm -> K^\pm \pi^0 and B -> K^\pm pi^\mp.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Talk given by L. Silvestrini at BCP4, Ise-Shima, Japan, 18-23 Feb 200

Charming Penguins Saga

We briefly recall the main formulae for computing the B -> K pi branching ratios within the "charming penguin" approach, present an updated fit to the data, and explain why we believe that, in general, these fits can hardly be used to extract gamma.Comment: Invited talk at FPCP '02 given by M. Ciuchini, uses econfmacros.tex. Final version with minor changes to appear in the proceeding

Two Body B Decays, Factorization and LambdaQCD/mb Corrections

By using the recent experimental measurements of B -> pi pi and B -> K pi branching ratios, we find that the amplitudes computed at the leading order of the LambdaQCD/mb expansion disagree with the observed BRs, even taking into account the uncertainties of the input parameters. Beyond the leading order, Charming and GIM penguins allow to reconcile the theoretical predictions with the data. Because of these large effects, we conclude, however, that it is not possible, with the present theoretical and experimental accuracy, to determine the CP violation angle gamma from these decays. We compare our results with those obtained with the parametrization of the chirally enhanced non-perturbative contributions by BBNS. We also predict large asymmetries for several of the particle--antiparticle BRs, in particular BR(B+ -> K+ pi0), BR(Bd -> K+ pi-) and BR(Bd -> pi+ pi-).Comment: 14 pages 3 figures uses aippro

Tetragonal to orthorhombic phase transition in SmFeAsO: a synchrotron powder diffraction investigation

The crystal structure of SmFeAsO has been investigated by means of Rietveld refinement of high resolution synchrotron powder diffraction data collected at 300 K and 100 K. The compound crystallizes in the tetragonal P4/nmm space group at 300 K and in the orthorhombic Cmma space group at 100 K; attempts to refine the low temperature data in the monoclinic P112/n space group diverged. On the basis of both resistive and magnetic analyses the tetragonal to orthorhombic phase transition can be located at T about 140 K.Comment: Submitted to: Superconductor Science and Technology PACS: 61.05.cp, 61.66.Fn, 74.10.+v, 74.62.Dh, 74.70.D