QCD Sum Rule Analysis of the Subleading Isgur-Wise Form Factor χ2(v⋅v′)\chi_2(v\cdot v')

We present a QCD sum rule calculation of the spin-symmetry violating universal function $\chi_2(v\cdot v')$, which appears at order $1/m_Q$ in the heavy quark expansion of meson form factors. This function vanishes in the standard approximation, where radiative effects are neglected. For the first time, the complete set of diagrams arising at order $\alpha_s$ is evaluated. In particular, we find $\chi_2(1) = -(3.8\pm 0.4)\%$ at zero recoil, indicating that $1/m_Q$ corrections induced by the chromo-magnetic moment operator are small.Comment: (10 pages, REVTEX, 2 figures not included) SLAC-PUB-5915, WIS-92/70/Sep-P

Two-Loop Renormalization of Heavy--Light Currents at Order 1/m_Q in the Heavy-Quark Expansion

We present exact results, at next-to-leading order in renormalization-group improved perturbation theory, for the Wilson coefficients appearing at order 1/m_Q in the heavy-quark expansion of heavy-light current operators. To this end, we complete the calculation of the corresponding two-loop anomalous dimension matrix. Our results are important for determinations of |V_{ub}| using exclusive and inclusive semileptonic B decays. They are also relevant to computations of the decay constant f_B based on a heavy-quark expansion.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figures; third author added and one reference updated, results unchange

Impact of Four-Quark Shape Functions on Inclusive B Decay Spectra

It has recently been pointed out that a new class of subleading shape functions involving B-meson matrix elements of non-local four-quark operators contributes at order Lambda_{QCD}/m_b to B->X_u+l+nu decay distributions in the endpoint region. The corresponding functions f_u(omega) and f_v(omega) are estimated using the vacuum-insertion approximation. A numerical analysis of various B->X_u+l+nu decay spectra suggests that these power corrections are very small, below present theoretical uncertainties due to other subleading shape-function contributions.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures; minor revisions and figure added; version to appear in Eur. Phys. J.

Form Factor Relations for Heavy-to-Light Transitions

Assuming simple properties of the spectator particle in weak decays the form factors of hadronic current matrix elements are shown to be related to a single universal function. The Isgur-Wise result for heavy-to-heavy transitions follows as well as similar relations for heavy-to-light decay processes. The approximation should hold for total energies of the final particle large compared to the confinement scale. A comparison with experimentally determined D-decay form factors and QCD sum rule results for B-decays is very encouraging.Comment: 12 pages, Latex; Relativistic covariant form, results unchanged, references added, to be published in Physics Lett.

Effective Field Theory and Heavy Quark Physics

These notes are based on five lectures presented at the 2004 Theoretical Advanced Study Institute (TASI) on ``Physics in D>=4''. After a brief motivation of flavor physics, they provide a pedagogical introduction to effective field theory, the effective weak Lagrangian, and the technology of renormalization-group improved perturbation theory. These general methods are then applied in the context of heavy-quarks physics, introducing the concepts of heavy-quark and soft-collinear effective theory.Comment: Lectures presented at TASI 2004 (39 pages

Resummation of Renormalon Chains for Cross Sections and Inclusive Decay Rates

Recently, we have developed a formalism to evaluate QCD loop diagrams with a single virtual gluon using a running coupling constant at the vertices. This corresponds to an all-order resummation of certain terms (the so-called renormalon chains) in a perturbative series and provides a generalization of the scale-setting prescription of Brodsky, Lepage and Mackenzie. In its original form, the method is applicable to Green functions without external gluons and to euclidean correlation functions. Here we generalize the approach to the case of cross sections and inclusive decay rates, which receive both virtual and real gluon corrections. We encounter nonperturbative ambiguities in the resummation of the perturbative series, which may hinder the construction of the operator product expansion in the physical region. The origin of these ambiguities and their relation to renormalon singularities in the Borel plane is investigated by introducing an explicit infrared cutoff. The ratios $R_{e^+ e^-}$ and $R_\tau$ are discussed in detail.Comment: 37 pages LaTeX, uses epsf, 8 figures. Largely revised version with an extended discussion and several new result

Theory of CP Violation in the B-Meson System

Recent developments in the theory of CP violation in the B-meson system are reviewed, with focus on the determination of sin(2beta) from B-> J/psi K decays, its implications for tests of the Standard Model and searches for New Physics, and the determination of gamma and alpha from charmless hadronic B decays.Comment: Invited plenary talk given at the 10th International Symposium on Lepton and Photon Interactions at High Energies (Rome, Italy, 23-28 July 2001), 15 pages, 8 figure