Next-to-next-to-leading QCD corrections to the B^+-B_d⁰, D^+-D⁰, and D_s^+-D⁰ lifetime ratios
Pith reviewed 2026-05-08 02:52 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
Three-loop perturbative corrections to B and D meson lifetime ratios are calculated, producing values that agree with experiment when using HQET sum rules or lattice inputs.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
Combining our perturbative coefficients with hadronic matrix elements calculated from Heavy Quark Effective Theory sum rules, we find τ(B⁺)/τ(B_d⁰)=1.072±0.024. Using hadronic matrix elements from a recent lattice QCD calculation we find τ(D⁺)/τ(D⁰)=2.344±0.170 and τ(D_s⁺)/τ(D⁰)=1.289±0.042. We find good agreement of our predictions with experimental data.
Load-bearing premise
The hadronic matrix elements from HQET sum rules and lattice QCD are accurate enough that the 1/m_Q^4 and V-spin breaking contributions remain smaller than the quoted uncertainties; the calculation is performed in the exact isospin and V-spin symmetric limit.
read the original abstract
The total decay widths of heavy mesons can be systematically calculated in terms of an expansion in the two parameters $1/m_Q$ and $\alpha_s(m_Q)$, where $Q=c,b$ denotes the heavy quark. The dominant contributions to meson lifetime splittings stem from terms which are suppressed by $1/m_Q^3$ with respect to the leading universal contribution to the total decay width. We calculate three-loop contributions of order $\alpha_s^2/m_q^3$ to the lifetime ratios $\tau(B^+)/\tau(B_d^0)$, $\tau(D^+)/\tau(D^0)$, and $\tau(D_s^+)/\tau(D^0)$ in the limit of exact isospin and V-spin symmetry, respectively. Furthermore, we present new $\alpha_s/m_q^3$ corrections to the Cabibbo-suppressed terms in $\tau(B^+)/\tau(B_d^0)$. Combining our perturbative coefficients with hadronic matrix elements calculated from Heavy Quark Effective Theory sum rules, we find $\tau(B^+)/\tau(B_d^0)= {1.072 \pm 0.024 }$. Using hadronic matrix elements from a recent lattice QCD calculation we find $\tau(D^+)/\tau(D^0)={2.344 \pm 0.170} $ and $\tau(D_s^+)/\tau(D^0)={1.289 \pm 0.042}$. We find good agreement of our predictions with experimental data, which constitutes a successful probe of the calculations of hadronic matrix elements and permits estimates of the unknown $1/m_Q^4$ contributions as well as the V-spin breaking terms in $\tau(D_s^+)/\tau(D^0)$.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
axioms (2)
- domain assumption Heavy quark expansion in powers of 1/m_Q and α_s(m_Q) is valid for bottom and charm mesons
- domain assumption Exact isospin symmetry for B mesons and exact V-spin symmetry for D mesons
Reference graph
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