$\pi K$ sum rules and the SU(3) chiral expansion

A recently proposed set of sum rules, based on the pion-Kaon scattering amplitudes and their crossing-symmetric conjugates are analysed in detail. A key role is played by the $l=0$ $\pi\pi\to K\overline K$ amplitude which requires an extrapolation to be performed. It is shown how this is tightly constrained from analyticity, chiral counting and the available experimental data, and its stability is tested. A re-evaluation of the $O(p^4)$ chiral couplings $L_1$, $L_2$, $L_3$ is obtained, as well as a new evaluation of the large $N_c$ suppressed coupling $L_4$.