The Standard Model (SM) of particle physics has withstood thus far every attempt by experimentalists to show that it does not describe data. We discuss the SM in some detail, focusing on the mechanism of fermion mixing, which represents one of its most intriguing aspects. We discuss how this mechanism can be tested in b-quark decays, and how b decays can be used to extract information on physics beyond the SM. We review experimental techniques in b physics, focusing on recent results and highlighting future prospects. Particular attention is devoted to recent results from b decays into a hadron, a lepton and an anti-lepton, that show discrepancies with the SM predictions — the so-called B-physics anomalies — whose statistical significance has been increasing steadily. We discuss these experiments in a detailed manner, and also provide theoretical interpretation of these results in terms of physics beyond the SM.

This is the first book to discuss the search for new physics in charged leptons, neutrons, and quarks in one coherent volume. The area of indirect searches for new physics is highly topical; though no new physics particles have yet been observed directly at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the methods described in this book will provide researchers with the necessary tools to keep searching for new physics. It describes the lines of research that attempt to identify quantum effects of new physics particles in low-energy experiments, in addition to detailing the mathematical basis and theoretical and phenomenological methods involved in the searches, whilst making a clear distinction between model-dependent and model-independent methods employed to make predictions. This book will be a valuable guide for graduate students and early-career researchers in particle and high energy physics who wish to learn about the techniques used in modern predictions of new physics effects at low energies, whilst also serving as a reference for researchers at other levels. Key features: • Takes an accessible, pedagogical approach suitable for graduate students and those seeking an overview of this new and fast-growing field • Illustrates common theoretical trends seen in different subfields of particle physics • Valuable both for researchers in the phenomenology of elementary particles and for experimentalists

The study of b quarks has now reached a stage where it is useful to review what has been learned so far and also to look at the implications of future studies. The most important observations thus far measurement of the B lifetime, B0 B0 mixing, and the observation of b? u transitions, as well as more mundane results on hadronic and semileptonic transitions are described in detail by experimentalists who have been closely involved with the measurements. Theoretical progress in understanding b quark decays, including the mechanisms of hadronic and semileptonic decays, are described. Synthesizing the experimental and theoretical information, the authors discuss tests of the standard model and measurements of standard model parameters. Possibilities of more extensive tests using measurement of CP violation in the B system are also addressed.

The study of rare hadronic B decays at LHCb and at the planned Super-B factories is a valueable tool in the search for new physics. The variety of hadronic decay channels allows for over-constraining measurements of flavour-changing neutral currents. The author discusses several aspects of new physics in rare hadronic B decays. In the first part of the book, the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) with Minimal Flavor Violation is analysed. In this model, large effects can occur in rare B decays due to tan(beta)-enhanced corrections which have to be resummed to all orders. The known resummation formulae are generalised beyond the decoupling limit and novel effects in couplings involving genuine supersymmetric particles are studied. In the second part of the book, the possibility of probing new physics in electroweak penguins via hadronic B decays is discussed. Such kind of new physics is suggested by puzzling data in B K, pi decays. The author shows that a measurement of the purely isospin-violating decays Bs phi, pi(rho) could shed light on this puzzle. A model-independent study and a study of concrete well-motivated new physics scenarios are performed.