Determining the penguin effect on CP violation in B0--> pi + pi -

QCD and strongly coupled gauge theories: challenges and perspectives

We highlight the progress, current status, and open challenges of QCD-driven physics, in theory and in experiment. We discuss how the strong interaction is intimately connected to a broad sweep of physical problems, in settings ranging from astrophysics and cosmology to strongly coupled, complex systems in particle and condensed-matter physics, as well as to searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. We also discuss how success in describing the strong interaction impacts other fields, and, in turn, how such subjects can impact studies of the strong interaction. In the course of the work we offer a perspective on the many research streams which flow into and out of QCD, as well as a vision for future developments.

Model independent bound on the unitarity triangle from CP violation in B-->pi(+)pi(-) and B-->psiK(S)

We derive model-independent lower bounds on the CKM parameters (1-rho) and eta as functions of the mixing-induced CP asymmetry S in B-->pi(+)pi(-) and sin(2 beta from B-->psiK(S). The bounds do not depend on specific results of theoretical calculations for the penguin contribution to B-->pi(+)pi(-). They require only the very conservative condition that a hadronic phase, which vanishes in the heavy-quark limit, does not exceed 90 degrees in magnitude. The bounds are effective if -sin(2 beta</=S</=1. Dynamical calculations indicate that the limits on rho and eta are close to their actual values.

Obtaining the apex of the unitarity triangle from B-->piK decays

We present a method of obtaining the apex of the unitarity triangle from measurements of B-->piK decay rates alone. Electroweak penguin amplitudes are included, and are related to tree operators. Discrete ambiguities are removed by comparing solutions with independent experimental data. The theoretical uncertainty in this method is about 10%.

Possibility of large final state interaction phases in light of B --> kpi and pipi data

The newly observed &Bmacr;( 0)-->&Kmacr;( 0)pi(0) mode is quite sizable while pi(-)pi(+) is rather small. Data also hint at pi(-)pi(0) greater, similarpi(-)pi(+). Though consistent with zero, central values of CP violating asymmetries in K-pi(+,0) and &Kmacr;( 0)pi(-) show an interesting pattern. Taking cue from these, we suggest that, besides gamma identical witharg(V(*)(ub)) being large, the rescattering phase delta in Kpi and pipi modes may be greater than 90 degrees. If this is true, not only the above trends can be accounted for, but one would also find pi(0)pi(0) approximately pi(-)pi(+,0), and the CP asymmetry in &Bmacr;( 0) vs B0-->pi(-)pi(+) could be as large as -60%. These results can be tested in a couple of years.