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The Bakamjian-Thomas relativistic quark model, describing hadrons with a fixed number of constituents, yields in the heavy quark limit of QCD covariant Isgur-Wise functions and satisfies the whole tower of lowest moment sum rules (Bjorken-Uraltsev type sum rules). We first recall, as well as earlier results, the new formalism presented in our recent papers on Lorentz representations, which provide an elegant framework for the analysis of this model in the heavy quark limit and stress the results which have been already obtained in this direction. Then, we give some very explicit demonstrations of the fact that the Bakamjian-Thomas framework satifies the sum rules by considering simple cases of Isgur-Wise functions. In addition to the specific Bjorken and Uraltsev sum rules, an important sum rule that involves only heavy mesons with light cloud $j^P = {1 \over 2}^-$ and their radial excitations is demonstrated. This latter sum rule is phenomenologically interesting because it constrains the derivatives of the radially excited Isgur-Wise functions at zero recoil. On the other hand, we recall the limitations of the Bakamjian-Thomas scheme. At finite mass, current matrix elements with the current coupled to the heavy quark are no longer covariant, and higher moment sum rules that hold in the heavy quark limit of QCD are not satisfied.

The Bakamjian-Thomas relativistic quark model for hadron current matrix elements, while non-covariant at finite mass, is successful in the heavy quark limit : form factors are covariant and satisfy Isgur-Wise scaling and Bjorken-Uraltsev sum rules. Motivated by the so-called "1/2 vs. 3/2 puzzle" in B decays to positive parity D**, we examine the implications of the model at finite mass. In the elastic case 1/2^- -> 1/2^-, the HQET constraints for the O(1/m_Q) corrections are analytically fulfilled. A number of satisfying regularities is also found for inelastic transitions. We compute the form factors using the wave functions given by the Godfrey-Isgur potential. For 1/2^- \to 3/2^+ the departures from the heavy quark limit are small, but we find a strong enhancement in 1/2^- -> 1/2^+ (for 0^- -> 0^+). This enhancement is linked to a serious difficulty of the model at finite mass for the inelastic transitions, namely a violation of the HQET constraints at zero recoil formulated by Leibovich et al. These are nevertheless satisfied in the non-relativistic limit for the light quark. We conclude that these HQET rigorous constraints are crucial in the construction of a sensible relativistic quark model of inelastic form factors., Comment: 27 figures

We pursue the group theoretical method to study Isgur-Wise functions. We apply the general formalism, formerly applied to the baryon case j^P = 0^+ (for \Lambda_b -> \Lambda_c \ell \nu), to mesons with j^P = 1/2^-, i.e. $\overline{B} -> D(D^{(*)})\ell\nu. In this case, more involved from the angular momentum point of view, only the principal series of unitary representations of the Lorentz group contribute. We obtain an integral representation for the IW function xi(w) with a positive measure, recover the bounds for the slope and the curvature of xi(w) obtained from the Bjorken-Uraltsev sum rule method, and get new bounds for higher derivatives. We demonstrate also that if the lower bound for the slope is saturated, the measure is a delta-function, and xi(w) is given by an explicit elementary function. Inverting the integral formula, we obtain the measure in terms of the IW function, allowing to formulate criteria to decide if a given ansatz for the Isgur-Wise function is compatible or not with the sum rule constraints. Moreover, we have obtained an upper bound on the IW function valid for any value of w. We compare these theoretical constraints to a number of forms for \xi(w) proposed in the literature. The "dipole" function \xi(w) = (2/(w+1))^(2c) satisfies all constraints for c \geq 3/4, while the QCD Sum Rule result including condensates does not satisfy them. Special care is devoted to the Bakamjian-Thomas relativistic quark model in the heavy quark limit and to the description of the Lorentz group representation that underlies this model. Consistently, the IW function satisfies all Lorentz group criteria for any explicit form of the meson Hamiltonian at rest., Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1402.0798, arXiv:0904.1942

At LHC a large number of b-flavored baryons will be produced. In this note we propose new baryon modes to determine the photon helicity of the penguin transition $b \to s \gamma$. The decay $\Lambda_b \to \Lambda \gamma$ has the drawback that the $\Lambda$, being neutral and long-lived, will escape detection most of the time. To overcome this difficulty, transitions of the type $\Lambda_b \to \Lambda^{*} \gamma$ have been proposed, where $\Lambda^{*}$ denotes an excited state decaying strongly within the detector into the clean mode $p K^-$. The doublet $\Xi_b$, that decays weakly, has a number of good features. The charged baryon $\Xi_b^-$ will decay into the mode $\Xi^- \gamma$, where the ground state hyperon $\Xi^-$, although it will decay most of the time outside the detector, can be detected because it is charged. We consider also the decay of $\Xi_b$ into $\Xi^{*} \gamma$, where a higher mass state $\Xi^{*}$ can decay strongly within the detector. We point out that the initial transverse polarization of $\Xi_b$ has to be known in all cases. To determine this parameter through the transition $\Xi_b \to J/\Psi\ \Xi$, we distinguish between different cases, and underline that in some situations one needs {\it theoretical input} on the asymmetry parameter $\alpha_{\Xi_b}$ of the primary decay. {\it A fortiori} the same considerations apply to the case of the $\Lambda_b$.

We propose a group theoretical method to study Isgur-Wise functions. A current matrix element splits into a heavy quark matrix element and an overlap of the initial and final clouds, related to the IW functions, that contain the long distance physics. The light cloud belongs to the Hilbert space of a unitary representation of the Lorentz group. Decomposing into irreducible representations one obtains the IW function as an integral formula, superposition of irreducible IW functions with positive measures, providing positivity bounds on its derivatives. Our method is equivalent to the sum rule approach, but sheds another light on the physics and summarizes and gives all its possible constraints. We expose the general formalism, thoroughly applying it to the case j = 0 for the light cloud, relevant to the semileptonic decay Lambda_b -> Lambda_c + l + nu. In this case, the principal series of the representations contribute, and also the supplementary series. We recover the bound for the curvature of the j = 0 IW function xi_Lambda (w) that we did obtain from the sum rule method, and we get new bounds for higher derivatives. We demonstrate also that if the lower bound for the curvature is saturated, then xi_Lambda (w) is completely determined, given by an explicit elementary function. We give criteria to decide if any ansatz for the Isgur-Wise function is compatible or not with the sum rules. We apply the method to some simple model forms proposed in the literature. Dealing with a Hilbert space, the sum rules are convergent, but this feature does not survive hard gluon radiative corrections., Comment: 70 pages

In the heavy quark limit of QCD, using the Operator Product Expansion, the formalism of Falk for hadrons or arbitrary spin, and the non-forward amplitude, as proposed by Uraltsev, we formulate sum rules involving the Isgur-Wise function $\xi_{\Lambda} (w)$ of the baryon transition $\Lambda_b \to \Lambda_c \ell \overline{\nu}_{\ell}$, where the light cloud has $j^P=0^+$ for both initial and final baryons. We recover the lower bound for the slope $\rho_\Lambda^2 = - \xi '_\Lambda (1) \geq 0$ obtained by Isgur et al., and we generalize it by demonstrating that the IW function $\xi_{\Lambda} (w)$ is an alternate series in powers of $(w-1)$, i.e. $(-1)^n \xi_{\Lambda}^{(n)} (1) \geq 0$. Moreover, exploiting systematically the sum rules, we get an improved lower bound for the curvature in terms of the slope, $\sigma_\Lambda^2 = \xi "_\Lambda (1) \geq {3 \over 5} [\rho_\Lambda^2 + (\rho_\Lambda^2)^2]$. This bound constrains the shape of the Isgur-Wise function and it will be compelling in the analysis of future precise data on the differential rate of the baryon semileptonic decay $\Lambda_b \to \Lambda_c \ell \overline{\nu}_{\ell}$, that has a large measured branching ratio, of about 5%., Comment: 16 pages

The OPE treatment that has been so successful in describing inclusive $\bar B \to l \bar \nu X_c$ decays yields sum rules (in particular the Uraltsev sum rule and its higher moments) implying the dominance of the $P$ wave $j_q = 3/2$ charm states in $X_c$ over their $j_q=1/2$ counterparts. This prediction is supported by other general arguments as well as quark model calculations, which illustrate the OPE results, and by preliminary lattice findings. Its failure would indicate a significant limitation in our theoretical understanding of $\bar B \to l \bar \nu X_c$. Some experimental issues have been clarified since a preliminary version of this note had appeared, yet the verdict on the composition of the final states {\em beyond} $D$, $D^*$ and the two narrow $j_q = 3/2$ resonances remains unsettled. Establishing which hadronic configurations -- $D/D^* + \pi, D/D^* + 2 \pi, ...$ -- contribute, what their quantum numbers are and their mass distributions will require considerable experimental effort. We explain the theoretical issues involved and why a better understanding of them will be of significant value. Having significant contributions from a mass continuum distribution below 2.5 GeV raises serious theoretical questions for which we have no good answer. Two lists are given, one with measurements that need to be done and one with items of theoretical homework. Some of the latter can be done by employing existing theoretical tools, whereas others need new ideas., Comment: 21 pages, no figures; corrected address of one of the authors and included new measurements by BaBar

The Bakamjian-Thomas relativistic quark model provides a Poincar\'e representation of bound states with a fixed number of constituents and, in the heavy quark limit, form factors of currents satisfy covariance and Isgur-Wise scaling. We compute the Light Cone Distribution Amplitudes of $B$ mesons $\phi_{\pm}^B(\omega)$ as well as the Shape Function $S(\omega)$, that enters in the decay $B \to X_s \gamma$, that are also covariant in this class of models. The LCDA and the SF are related through the quark model wave function. The former satisfy, in the limit of vanishing constituent light quark mass, the integral relation given by QCD in the valence sector of Fock space. Using a gaussian wave function, the obtained $S(\omega)$ is identical to the so-called Roman Shape Function. From the parameters for the latter that fit the $B \to X_s\gamma$ spectrum we predict the behaviour of $\phi_{\pm}^B(\omega)$. We discuss the important role played by the constituent light quark mass. In particular, although $\phi_-^B(0) \not= 0$ for vanishing light quark mass, a non-vanishing mass implies the unfamiliar result $\phi_-^B (0) = 0$. Moreover, we incorporate the short distance behaviour of QCD to $\phi_+^B (\omega)$, which has sizeable effects at large $\omega$. We obtain the values for the parameters $\bar{\Lambda} \cong 0.35$ GeV and $\lambda_B^{-1} \cong 1.43$ GeV$^{-1}$. We compare with other theoretical approaches and illustrate the great variety of models found in the literature for the functions $\phi_{\pm}^B (\omega)$; hence the necessity of imposing further constraints as in the present paper. We briefly review also the different phenomena that are sensitive to the LCDA., Comment: 6 figures

We revisit the problem of interplay between the strong and the Coulomb interaction in the charged-to-neutral yield ratio for $B {\bar B}$ and $D {\bar D}$ pairs near their respective thresholds in $e^+e^-$ annihilation. We consider here a realistic situation with a resonant interaction in the isospin I=0 channel and a nonresonant strong scattering amplitude in the I=1 state. We find that the yield ratio has a smooth behavior depending on the scattering phase in the I=1 channel. The same approach is also applicable to the $K {\bar K}$ production at the $\phi(1020)$ resonance, where the Coulomb effect in the charged-to-neutral yield ratio is generally sensitive to the scattering phases in both the isoscalar and the isovector channels. Furthermore, we apply the same approach to the treatment of the effect of the isotopic mass difference between the charged and neutral mesons and argue that the strong-scattering effects generally result in a modification to the pure kinematical effect of this mass difference., Comment: 16 pages, 2 figures

From sum rules in the heavy quark limit of QCD, using the non-forward amplitude, we demonstrate that if the slope rho^2 = -xsi'(1) of the Isgur-Wise function xsi(w) attains its lower bound 3/4 (as happens in the BPS limit proposed by Uraltsev), the IW function is completely determined, given by the function xsi(w) = [2/(w+1)]^(3/2).

Using previously formulated sum rules in the heavy quark limit of QCD, we demonstrate that if the slope rho^2 = -xi'(1) of the Isgur-Wise function xi(w) attains its lower bound 3/4, then all the derivatives (-1)^L xi^(L)(1) attain their lower bounds (2L+1)!!/2^(2L), obtained by Le Yaouanc et al. This implies that the IW function is completely determined, given by the function xi(w) = [2/(w+1)]^(3/2). Since the so-called BPS condition proposed by Uraltsev implies rho^2 = 3/4, it implies also that the IW function is given by the preceding expression., Comment: 19 pages

After the successes the OPE description has scored in describing $\bar B \to l \bar \nu X_c$ decays, we need to study what can be said about the composition of the hadronic final state $X_c$. The same OPE treatment yields sum rules implying the dominance of $j_q = 3/2$ charm states in $X_c$ over their $j_q=1/2$ counterparts. This prediction is supported by other general arguments as well as quark model calculations. At present it is unclear to which degree data conform to these predictions. More experimental information is essential. We want to ask our experimental colleagues for a redoubled effort to establish, which hadronic configurations -- $D/D^* + \pi, D/D^* + 2 \pi, ...$ -- make up $\Gamma (\bar B \to l \bar \nu X_c)$ beyond $\bar B \to l \bar \nu D/D^*$, what their quantum numbers are and their mass distributions. The latter is most relevant for the determination of hadronic mass moments in $\bar B \to l \bar \nu X_c$. Since all this will require considerable effort on their part, we want to explain the theoretical issues involved, why they carry `gravitas' -- i.e. are weighty -- and why a better understanding of them will be of significant value. In this brief memo we sketch the underlying arguments based on heavy quark theory, the OPE, a special class of quark models and lattice QCD in a nutshell. After summarizing the experimental situation we conclude with two lists, namely one with measurements that need to be done and one with items of theoretical homework. Some of the latter can be done by employing existing theoretical tools, whereas others need new ideas., Comment: 13 pages, no figures

Within the OPE, we the new sum rules in Heavy Quark Effective Theory in the heavy quark limit and at order 1/m_Q, using the non-forward amplitude. In particular, we obtain new sum rules involving the elastic subleading form factors chi_i(w) (i = 1,2, 3) at order 1/m_Q that originate from the L_kin and L_mag perturbations of the Lagrangian. To the sum rules contribute only the same intermediate states (j^P, J^P) = ((1/2)^-, 1^-), ((3/2)^-, 1^-) that enter in the 1/m_Q^2 corrections of the axial form factor h_(A_1)(w) at zero recoil. This allows to obtain a lower bound on -delta_(1/m^2)^(A_1) in terms of the chi_i(w) and the shape of the elastic IW function xi(w). An important theoretical implication is that chi'_1(1), chi_2(1) and chi'_3(1) (chi_1(1) = chi_3(1) = 0 from Luke theorem) must vanish when the slope and the curvature attain their lowest values rho^2->3/4, sigma^2->15/16. These constraints should be taken into account in the exclusive determination of |V_(cb)|., Comment: Invited talk to the International Workshop on Quantum Chromodynamics : Theory and Experiment, Conversano (Bari, Italy), 16-20 June 2005

We pursue the program of the study of the non-forward amplitude in HQET. We obtain new sum rules involving the elastic subleading form factors $\chi_i(w)$ $(i = 1,2, 3)$ at order $1/m_Q$ that originate from the ${\cal L}_{kin}$ and ${\cal L}_{mag}$ perturbations of the Lagrangian. To obtain these sum rules we use two methods. On the one hand we start simply from the definition of these subleading form factors and, on the other hand, we use the Operator Product Expansion. To the sum rules contribute only the same intermediate states $ (j^P, J^P) = ({1 \over 2}^-, 1^-), ({3\over 2}^-, 1^-)$ that enter in the $1/m_Q^2$ corrections of the axial form factor $h_{A_1}(w)$ at zero recoil. This allows to obtain a lower bound on $- \delta_{1/m^2}^{(A_1)}$ in terms of the $\chi_i(w)$ and the shape of the elastic IW function $\xi (w)$. We find also lower bounds on the $1/m_Q^2$ correction to the form factors $h_+(w)$ and $h_1(w)$ at zero recoil. An important theoretical implication is that $\chi '_1(1)$, $\chi_2(1)$ and $\chi '_3(1)$ ($\chi_1(1) = \chi_3(1) = 0$ from Luke theorem) must vanish when the slope and the curvature attain their lowest values $\rho^2 \to {3 \over 4}$, $\sigma^2 \to {15 \over 16}$. We discuss possible implications on the precise determination of $|V_{cb}|$.

We extend the formalism of Leibovich, Ligeti, Stewart and Wise in the 1/m_Q expansion of Heavy Quark Effective Theory for the B semileptonic decays into excited D[(3/2)^+] mesons to the opposite parity states D[(3/2)^-]. For D[(3/2)^+] the 1/m_Q current perturbation dominates over the leading term at zero recoil, while for D[(3/2)^-] the 1/m_Q perturbation due to L_mag dominates also at zero recoil. We show that the corresponding 1/m_Q magnetic coupling is proportional to the mixing between the states D[(3/2)^-] and D[(1/2)^-] induced by the tensor force. We point out some subtleties that appear in this respect in HQET.

We perform a phenomenological analysis of the decays $B \to D^{**}\pi$, where $D^{**}$ is a $P$-wave excited meson with total angular momentum $j = {1 \over 2}$ or ${3 \over 2}$ for the light cloud, recently measured by the Belle Collaboration in the modes $\bar{B}^0\to D^{**+}\pi^-$ (Class I) and $B^- \to D^{**0}\pi^-$ (Class III). Making the reasonable assumption of naive factorization, that we test in $B \to D(D^*)\pi$ decays, Class I decays allow to extract the Isgur-Wise form factors $\tau_{1/2}(w)$, $\tau_{3/2}(w)$ at $w \cong w_{max}$ ($q^2 \cong 0$). We obtain $\tau_{1/2}(w_{max}) < 0.20$, $\tau_{3/2}(w_{max}) = 0.31 \pm 0.12$. We discuss the question of the $w$ dependence of these IW functions. We find agreement with the Bakamjian-Thomas quark model of form factors and, extrapolating at $w=1$, with Bjorken and Uraltsev sum rules. We discuss also Class III decays, where the $D^{**0}$ $(j = {1 \over 2})$ emission diagram contributes. We extract the corresponding $f_{D_{1/2}}$ decay constant, that is in agreement with theoretical estimates at finite mass. Finally, we must warn that $1/m_Q$ corrections could be large and upset the results of the present stage of this analysis. On the other hand, we confront present data on the semileptonic rate of $B$ mesons to excited states with theoretical expectations.

Using the OPE, we formulate new sum rules in the heavy quark limit of QCD. These sum rules imply that the elastic Isgur-Wise function $\xi (w)$ is an alternate series in powers of $(w-1)$. Moreover, one gets that the $n$-th derivative of $\xi (w)$ at $ w=1$ can be bounded by the $(n-1)$-th one, and an absolute lower bound for the $n$-th derivative $(-1)^n \xi^{(n)}(1) \geq {(2n+1)!! \over 2^{2n}}$. Moreover, for the curvature we find $\xi ''(1) \geq {1 \over 5} [4 \rho^2 + 3(\rho^2)^2]$ where $\rho^2 = - \xi '(1)$. We show that the quadratic term ${3 \over 5} (\rho^2)^2$ has a transparent physical interpretation, as it is leading in a non-relativistic expansion in the mass of the light quark. These bounds should be taken into account in the parametrizations of $\xi (w)$ used to extract $|V_{cb}|$. These results are consistent with the dispersive bounds, and they strongly reduce the allowed region of the latter for $\xi (w)$. The method is extended to the subleading quantities in $1/m_Q$, namely $\xi_3(w)$ and $\bar{\Lambda}\xi (w)$.}], Comment: Talk given at the ICHEP04 Conference (Beijing, August 2004)

We consider the non-forward amplitude within the Heavy Quark Effective theory. We show that one can obtain new information on the subleading corrections in 1/m_Q. We illustrate the method by deriving new simple relations between the functions Xsi_3(w) and Lambdabar Xsi(w) and the sums Sum_n DeltaE^(n)_j tau^(n)_j(1) tau^(n)_j(w) (j=1/2,3/2), that involve leading quantities, namely the Isgur-Wise functions tau^(n)_j(w) and the level spacings DeltaE^(n)_j. The simplicity of our results follows from the fact that, for the non-forward amplitude B(v_i)->D^(n)(v')->B(v_f), there are three variables (w_i,w_f,w_if)=(v_i.v',v_f.v',v_i.v_f) independent in a certain domain, and we consider the zero recoil frontier (w,1,w) where only a finite number of j^P states contribute (1/2^+,3/2^+). These sum rules reduce to known results at w=1, for Lambdabar obtainted by Voloshin, and for Xsi_3(1) obtained by Le Yaouanc et al. and by Uraltsev, and generalizes them to all values of w. We discuss phenomenological applications of these results, in particular the check of Bakamjian-Thomas quark models and the comparison with the QCD Sum Rules approach., Comment: 36 pages

In a preceeding study in the heavy quark limit of QCD, it has been demonstrated that the best lower bound on the curvature of the Isgur-Wise function Xsi(w) is Xsi"(1) > (4rho2+3(rho2)2) > 15/16. The quadratic term (rho2)2 is dominant in a non-relativistic expansion in the light quark, both Xsi"(1) and (rho2)2 scaling like (R2m2)2, where m is the light quark mass and R the bound state radius. The non-relativistic limit is thus a good guide-line in the study of the shape of Xsi(w). In the present paper we obtain similar bounds on all the derivatives of XsiNR(w), the IW function with the light quark non-relativistic, and we demons- trate that these bounds are optimal. We formulate a general method, based on the positivity of matrices of moments of the ground state wave function, that allows to bound the n-th derivative XsiNR(n)(w) in terms of the m-th ones (m < n). We argue that this method can be generalized to the true Isgur-Wise function of QCD Xsi(w).

An expression for the spin-orbit interaction coupling between different levels, which was shown to be aberrant more than thirty years ago is used in a recent article [K. Amos, L. Canton, G.Piseni, J. P. Svenne and D. van der Knijff, Nucl. Phys. A 728, 65 (2003)]. It leads to expressions quite simpler than they should be. Its behavior is in fact of a character opposite to that of the spin-orbit interaction used in two-body studies., Comment: 4 pages; version 2 pour correction PACS

Using the OPE, we obtain new sum rules in the heavy quark limit of QCD, in addition to those previously formulated. Key elements in their derivation are the consideration of the non-forward amplitude, plus the systematic use of boundary conditions that ensure that only a finite number of $j^P$ intermediate states (with their tower of radial excitations) contribute. A study of these sum rules shows that it is possible to bound the curvature $\sigma^2 = \xi''(1)$ of the elastic Isgur-Wise function $\xi (w)$ in terms of its slope $\rho^2 = - \xi '(1)$. Besides the bound $\sigma^2 \geq {5 \over 4} \rho^2$, previously demonstrated, we find the better bound $\sigma^2 \geq {1 \over 5} [4 \rho^2 + 3(\rho^2)^2]$. We show that the quadratic term ${3 \over 5} (\rho^2)^2$ has a transparent physical interpretation, as it is leading in a non-relativistic expansion in the mass of the light quark. At the lowest possible value for the slope $\rho^2 = {3 \over 4}$, both bounds imply the same bound for the curvature, $\sigma^2 \geq {15 \over 16}$. We point out that these results are consistent with the dispersive bounds, and, furthermore, that they strongly reduce the allowed region by the latter for $\xi (w)$., Comment: 39 pages, 2 figures

The introduction of an explicit negative radial excitation contribution in the hadronic side of the light cone QCD sum rule (LCSR) of Belyaev, Braun, Khodjamirian and Ruckl, can explain the large experimental value of g(D*Dpi), recently measured by CLEO. At the same time, it considerably improves the stability of the sum rule when varying the Borel parameter., Comment: 9 pages, 1 PostScript figures

Analytical solutions of dispersion relations in the nuclear optical model have been found for both imaginary volume and surface potentials. A standard Brown-Rho shape has been assumed for the volume imaginary term and a Brown-Rho shape multiplied by a decreasing exponential for the surface contribution. The analytical solutions are valid for any even value of the exponent appearing in these functional forms., Comment: 3 pages, no figures

Using the OPE and the trace formalism, we have obtained a number of sum rules in the heavy quark limit of QCD that include the sum over all excited states for any value $j^P$ of the light cloud. We show that these sum rules imply that the elastic Isgur-Wise function $\xi (w)$ is an alternate series in powers of $(w-1)$. Moreover, we obtain sum rules involving the derivatives of the elastic Isgur-Wise function $\xi (w)$ at zero recoil, that imply that the $n$-th derivative can be bounded by the $(n-1)$-th one. For the curvature $\sigma^2 = \xi''(1)$, this proves the already proposed bound $\sigma^2 \geq {5 \over 4} \rho^2$. Moreover, we obtain the absolute bound for the $n$-th derivative $(-1)^n \xi^{(n)}(1) \geq {(2n+1)!! \over 2^{2n}}$, that generalizes the results $\rho^2 \geq {3 \over 4}$ and $\sigma^2 \geq {15 \over 16}$., Comment: 9 pages, Latex

In the leading order of the heavy quark expansion, we propose a method within the OPE and the trace formalism, that allows to obtain, in a systematic way, Bjorken-like sum rules for the derivatives of the elastic Isgur-Wise function $\xi(w)$ in terms of corresponding Isgur-Wise functions of transitions to excited states. A key element is the consideration of the non-forward amplitude, as introduced by Uraltsev. A simplifying feature of our method is to consider currents aligned along the initial and final four-velocities. As an illustration, we give a very simple derivation of Bjorken and Uraltsev sum rules. On the other hand, we obtain a new class of sum rules that involve the products of IW functions at zero recoil and IW functions at any $w$. Special care is given to the needed derivation of the projector on the polarization tensors of particles of arbitrary integer spin. The new sum rules give further information on the slope $\rho^2 = - \xi '(1)$ and also on the curvature $\sigma^2 = \xi '' (1)$, and imply, modulo a very natural assumption, the inequality $\sigma^2 \geq {5\over 4} \rho^2$, and therefore the absolute bound $\sigma^2 \geq {15 \over 16}$., Comment: 64 pages, Latex

We underline a problem existing in the heavy quark limit of QCD concerning the rates of semileptonic B decays into P-wave $D_J(j)$ mesons, where $j = {1 \over 2}$ (wide states) or $j = {3 \over 2}$ (narrow states). The leading order sum rules of Bjorken and Uraltsev suggest $\Gamma [ \bar{B} \to D_{0,1} ({1 \over 2}) \ell \nu ] \ll \Gamma [ \bar{B} \to D_{1,2} ({3 \over 2}) \ell \nu ]$, in contradiction with experiment. The same trend follows also from a sum rule for the subleading $1/m_Q$ curent matrix element correction $\xi_3(1)$. The problem is made explicit in relativistic quarks models \`a la Bakamjian and Thomas, that give a transparent physical interpretation of the latter as due, not to a $L \cdot S$ force, but to the Wigner rotation of the light quark spin. We point out moreover that the selection rule for decay constants of $j = {3 \over 2}$ states, $f_{3/2} = 0$, predicts, assuming the model of factorization, the opposite hierarchy $\Gamma [ \bar{B} \to \bar{D}_{s_{1,2}} ({3 \over 2}) D^{(*)} ] \ll \Gamma [ \bar{B} \to \bar{D}_{s_{0,1}} ({1 \over 2}) D^{(*)} ]$., Comment: Contribution to the International Europhysics Conference on HEP, Budapest, July 2001 (presented by L. Oliver); 5 pages

In previous work it has been shown that, either from a sum rule for the subleading Isgur-Wise function $\xi_3(1)$ or from a combination of Uraltsev and Bjorken SR, one infers for $P$-wave states $|\tau_{1/2}(1)| \ll |\tau_{3/2}(1)|$. This implies, in the heavy quark limit of QCD, a hierarchy for the {\it production} rates of $P$-states $\Gamma(\bar{B}_d \to D ({1 \over 2}) \ell \nu) \ll \Gamma(\bar{B}_d \to D ({3 \over 2}) \ell \nu)$ that seems at present to be contradicted by experiment. It was also shown that the decay constants of $j = {3 \over 2}$ $P$-states vanish in the heavy quark limit of QCD, $f_{3/2}^{(n)} = 0$. Assuming the {\it model} of factorization in the decays $\bar{B}_d \to \bar{D}_s^{**}D$, one expects the opposite hierarchy for the {\it emission} rates $\Gamma(\bar{B}_d \to \bar{D}_s ({3 \over 2}) D) \ll \Gamma(\bar{B}_d \to \bar{D}_s ({1 \over 2}) D)$, since $j = {1 \over 2}$ $P$-states are coupled to vacuum. Moreover, using Bjorken SR and previously discovered SR involving heavy-light meson decay constants and IW functions, one can prove that the sums $\sum\limits_n ({f^{(n)} \over f^{(0)}})^2$, $\sum\limits_n ({f_{1/2}^{(n)} \over f^{(0)}})^2$ (where $f^{(n)}$ and $f_{1/2}^{(n)}$ are the decay constants of $S$-states and $j = {1\over 2}$ $P$-states) are divergent. This situation seems to be realized in the relativistic quark models \`a la Bakamjian and Thomas, that satisfy HQET and predict decays constants $f^{(n)}$ and $f_{1/2}^{(n)}$ that do not decrease with the radial quantum number $n$., Comment: 7 pages, Latex

We show that the sum rule recently proved by Uraltsev in the heavy quark limit of QCD holds in relativistic quark models \`a la Bakamjian and Thomas, that were already shown to satisfy Isgur-Wise scaling and Bjorken sum rule. This new sum rule provides a {\it rationale} for the lower bound of the slope of the elastic IW function $\rho^2 \geq {3 \over 4}$ obtained within the BT formalism some years ago. Uraltsev sum rule suggests an inequality $|\tau_{3/2}(1)| > |\tau_{1/2}(1)|$. This difference is interpreted in the BT formalism as due to the Wigner rotation of the light quark spin, independently of a possible LS force. In BT models, the sum rule convergence is very fast, the $n = 0$ state giving the essential contribution in most of the phenomenological potential models. We underline that there is a serious problem, in the heavy quark limit of QCD, between theory and experiment for the decays $B \to D^*_{0,1}(broad) \ell \nu$, independently of any model calculation., Comment: 16 pages, Latex

Making use of the nonrelativistic potential model for the description of mesons, and working in the Shifman-Voloshin limit, we compare the integrated rate $\Gamma(B\to X_cl\nu)$ calculated as a sum of the individual decay rates to the quantum-mechanical analog of the OPE. In the case of a potential regular at the origin, we find a well-defined duality violation, which is however exponentially small. It corresponds to the charm resonances kinematically forbidden in the decay process, but apparently picked up by the OPE. For singular potentials, we do not obtain a full OPE series, but only a limited Taylor expansion, since the cofficients become infinite beyond some order. In this case, we do not find an indication of duality violation: the difference is smaller than the last term of the limited expansion. This emphasizes that the case of singular potentials, which may be relevant for QCD, deserves further study., Comment: revtex, 6 pages

The detailed way in which duality between sum of exclusive states and the free quark model description operates in semileptonic total decay widths, is analysed. It is made very explicit by the use of the non relativistic harmonic oscillator quark model in the SV limit, and a simple interaction current with the lepton pair. In particular, the Voloshin sum rule is found to eliminate the mismatches of order $\delta m/m_b^2$., Comment: 11 pages, Latex2e, AMS-LaTeX

Quark-hadron duality in the inclusive semileptonic decay $B\to X_c l\nu$ in the Shifman-Voloshin limit $\Lambda \ll \delta m=m_b - m_c \ll m_b, m_c$ is studied within a nonrelativistic potential model. The integrated semileptonic decay rate is calculated in two ways: first, by constructing the Operator Product Expansion, and second by a direct summation of the exclusive channels. Sum rules (Bjorken, Voloshin, etc.) for the potential model are derived, providing a possibility to compare the two representations for $\Gamma(B\to X_c l\nu)$. An explicit difference between them referred to as duality-violation effect is found. The origin of this effect is related to higher charm resonances which are kinematically forbidden in the decay process but are nevertheless picked up by the OPE. Within the considered $1/m_c^2$ order the OPE and the sum over exclusive channels match each other, up to the contributions of higher resonances, by virtue of the sum rules. In particular this is true for the terms of order $\delta m^2/m_c^2$ and $\Lambda \delta m/m_c^2$ which are present in each of the decay channels and cancel in the sum of these channels due to the Bjorken and Voloshin sum rules, respectively. The size of the duality violation effects is estimated to be of the order $O(\Lambda^{2+b}/m_c^2\delta m^b)$ with $b>0$ depending on the details of the potential. Constraints for a better accuracy are discussed., Comment: revtex, 19 pages, a comment on the OPE in the potential model has been added and several typoes corrected

We explicitly check quark-hadron duality to order $(m_b-m_c)\Lambda/m_b^2$ for $b \to c l\nu$ decays in the limit $m_b-m_c \ll m_b$ including ground state and orbitally excited hadrons. Duality occurs thanks to a new sum rule which expresses the subleading HQET form factor $\xi_3$ or, in other notations, $a_+^{(1)}$ in terms of the infinite mass limit form factors and some level splittings. We also demonstrate the sum rule, which is not restricted to the condition $m_b-m_c \ll m_b$, applying OPE to the longitudinal axial component of the hadronic tensor without neglecting the $1/m_b$ subleading contributions to the form factors. We argue that this method should produce a new class of sum rules, depending on the current, beyond Bjorken, Voloshin and the known tower of higher moments. Applying OPE to the vector currents we find another derivation of the Voloshin sum rule. From independent results on $\xi_3$ we derive a sum rule which involves only the $\tau_{1/2}^{(n)}$ and $\tau_{3/2}^{(n)}$ form factors and the corresponding level splittings. The latter strongly supports a theoretical evidence that the $B$ semileptonic decay into narrow orbitally-excited resonances dominates over the decay into the broad ones, in apparent contradiction with some recent experiments. We discuss this issue., Comment: 9 pages

We compute the inclusive decay rates $b \to D_s^-(D^{*-}_s) c$ including lowest order QCD corrections on the quark legs, and compare with existing data. Unlike the short distance QCD corrections, that are of higher order, these corrections are of order $\alpha_s$. In the on-shell renormalization scheme and for $\alpha_s(m_b) \cong 0.2$ we find a correction of -10% to the inclusive rate computed using factorization. This gives a total rate $BR(b \to D_s^-(D^{*-}_s)c) \cong 8%$ consistent within $1\sigma$ with the measured value $BR(B \to D_s^{\pm}X) = (10.0 \pm 2.5)%$. The general formulae given here include the case of vanishing mass for the final quark $b \to D_s^-(D_s^{*-})u$. The radiative correction to this rate is -17%. We show in another place that this process can be useful for the measurement of the CKM matrix element $V_{ub}$. We also give the renormalized vertex at the interesting values $q^2 = 0$ and $q^2 = q_{max}^2$, and compare with existing literature., Comment: 30 pages, LaTeX

We propose the determination of the CKM matrix element $|V_{ub}|$ by the measurement of the spectrum of $B \to D_s^+ X_u$, dominated by the spectator quark model mechanism $\bar{b} \to D_s^{(*)+} \bar{u}$. The interest of considering $B \to D_s^+X_u$ versus the semileptonic decay is that more than 50 % of the spectrum for $B \to D_s^+ X_u$ occurs above the kinematical limit for $B \to D_s^+ X_c$, while most of the spectrum $B \to l \nu X_u$ occurs below the $B \to l \nu X_c$ one. Furthermore, the measure of the hadronic mass $M_X$ is easier in the presence of an identified $D_s$ than when a $\nu$ has been produced. As a consistency check, we point out that the rate $\bar{b} \to D_s^{(*)+} \bar{c}$ (including QCD corrections that we present elsewhere) is consistent with the measured $BR (B \to D_s^{\pm} X)$. Although the hadronic complications may be more severe in the mode that we propose than in the semileptonic inclusive decay, the end of the spectrum in $B \to l \nu X_u$ is not well understood on theoretical grounds. We argue that, in our case, the excited $D_s^{**}$, decaying into $D K$, do not contribute and, if there is tagging of the $B$ meson, the other mechanisms to produce a $D_s$ of the right sign are presumably small, of $O(10^{-2})$ relative to the spectator amplitude, or can be controlled by kinematical cuts. In the absence of tagging, other hadronic backgrounds deserve careful study. We present a feasability study with the BaBar detector., Comment: 22 pages, LaTeX

We prove the full covariance of the heavy-to-light weak current matrix elements based on the Bakamjian-Thomas construction of relativistic quark models, in the heavy mass limit for the parent hadron and the large energy limit for the daughter one. Moreover, this quark model representation of the heavy-to-light form factors fulfills the general relations that were recently argued to hold in the corresponding limit of QCD, namely that there are only three independent form factors describing the B -> pi (rho) matrix elements, as well as the factorized scaling law sqrt(M)z(E) of the form factors with respect to the heavy mass M and large energy E. These results constitute another good property of the quark models \`a la Bakamjian-Thomas, which were previously shown to exhibit covariance and Isgur-Wise scaling in the heavy-to-heavy case., Comment: 11 pages, LaTex2e, no figure

We argue that the Large Energy Effective Theory (LEET), originally proposed by Dugan and Grinstein, is applicable to exclusive semileptonic, radiative and rare heavy-to-light transitions in the region where the energy release E is large compared to the strong interaction scale and to the mass of the final hadron, i.e. for q^2 not close to the zero-recoil point. We derive the Effective Lagrangian from the QCD one, and show that in the limit of heavy mass M for the initial hadron and large energy E for the final one, the heavy and light quark fields behave as two-component spinors. Neglecting QCD short-distance corrections, this implies that there are only three form factors describing all the pseudoscalar to pseudoscalar or vector weak current matrix elements. We argue that the dependence of these form factors with respect to M and E should be factorizable, the M-dependence (sqrt(M)) being derived from the usual heavy quark expansion while the E-dependence is controlled by the behaviour of the light-cone distribution amplitude near the end-point u=1. The usual expectation of the (1-u) behaviour leads to a 1/E^2 scaling law, that is a dipole form in q^2. We also show explicitly that in the appropriate limit, the Light-Cone Sum Rule method satisfies our general relations as well as the scaling laws in M and E of the form factors, and obtain very compact and simple expressions for the latter. Finally we note that this formalism gives theoretical support to the quark model-inspired methods existing in the literature., Comment: Latex2e, 25 pages, no figure. Slight changes in the title and the phrasing. Misprint in Eq. (25) corrected. To appear in Phys. Rev. D

We consider the decay B0(t) -> hyperon + antihyperon, followed by hyperon weak decay. We show that parity violation in the latter allows to reach new CP observables: not only Im(lambda_f) but also Re(lambda_f) can be measured. In the decay B0_d(t) -> Lambda LambdaBar (BR ~ 10-6), Lambda -> p pi- these observables reduce to sin(2alpha) and cos(2alpha) in the small Penguin limit, the latter solving the discrete ambiguity alpha -> pi/2 -alpha. For beta one could consider the Cabibbo suppressed mode B0_d(t) -> Lambda_c Lambda_cBar (BR \~ 10-4), Lambda_c -> Lambda pi+, p K0bar, ... (with BR ~ 10-2). The pure Penguin modes B0_s(t)->Sigma-Sigma-Bar, Xi-Xi-Bar, Omega-Omega-Bar (BR ~ 10-7) can be useful in the search of CP violation beyond the Standard Model. Because of the small total rates, the study of these modes could only be done in future high statistics experiments. Also, in the most interesting case Lambda LambdaBar the time dependence of the asymmetry can be difficult to reconstruct. On the other hand, we show that B_d mesons, being a coherent source of Lambda LambdaBar, is useful to look for CP violation in Lambda decay. We also discuss B0_d(t) -> J/Psi K*0 -> l+ l- K_S pi0 where the secondary decays conserve parity, and angular correlations allow to determine terms of the form cos(delta)cos(2beta), delta being a strong phase. This phase has been measured by CLEO, but we point out that a discrete ambiguity prevents to determine sign(cos(2beta)). However, if one assumes small strong phases, like in factorization and as supported by CLEO data, one could have information on sign(cos(2beta)). Similar remarks can be done for cos(2alpha) in the decay B_d0(t) -> rho rho -> 4pi., Comment: LaTeX, 35 pages, 4 figures in a separate postscript file

Nonlocal coordinate space optical potentials for the scattering of 65 MeV protons from nuclei ranging in mass from 6Li to 238U have been defined by folding a complex, medium dependent effective interaction with the density matrix elements of each target. The effective interaction is based upon solutions of the Lippmann--Schwinger and Brueckner--Bethe--Goldstone equations having the Paris potential as input. The nuclear structure information required in our folding model are the one body density matrix elements for the target and the single nucleon bound state wave functions that they weight. For light mass nuclei, very large basis shell model calculations have been made to obtain the one body density matrix elements. For medium and heavy mass nuclei, a very simple shell model prescription has been used. The bound state single particle wave functions that complete the nuclear density matrices are either Woods--Saxon or harmonic oscillator functions. The former are employed in most cases when large basis structure is available. For light nuclei (A < 16) Woods--Saxon potential parameters and harmonic oscillator lengths are determined from fits to electron scattering form factors. For all other nuclei, we use harmonic oscillator functions with the oscillator lengths set from an A^{1/6} mass law. Using this microscopic model, optical potentials result from which differential cross sections, analyzing powers and spin rotations are found. In general the calculated results compare very well with data when the effective interactions are determined from a mapping of nucleon--nucleon g matrices. This is not the case when effective interactions built from a mapping of (free) t matrices are used., Comment: 34 pages, 17 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. C

We study CP-violation in resonant three-body B -> DPP decays, where PP stands for either Dpi, DK_S, pipi or piK_S. Analogously to the B -> 3pi channel and the extraction of 2alpha, the first three channels are shown to measure cos(2beta) in addition to sin(2beta), thus allowing to resolve the beta -> pi/2 -beta ambiguity, while the DpiK_S final state leads to a measurement of 2beta+gamma. The B0(t) -> D+D-pi0 channel via the interference between D** orbitally excited resonances is taken as an example, although this Cabibbo-suppressed decay suffers from irreducible penguin uncertainties. Then two penguin-free and Cabibbo-dominant modes are proposed: B0(t) -> D+D-K_S with the D_s** resonances, and B0(t) -> D0_CP pi+pi- with the D** plus the rho. Finally, the B0(t) -> D+-pi-+K_S channel with the D_s** and K* resonances provides a new clean method to measure the unusual angle 2beta+gamma. We present in all cases a crude estimate of the number of cos(2beta) (respectively 2beta+gamma) sensitive events. We show that this number is an increasing function of the resonance mass, a favorable situation compared to the more extensively studied three-pion Dalitz plot. However, the poor detection efficiency of the D mesons could pose a problem. As an annex and speculative application of these Dalitz plot based methods, the penguin-dominated B0(t) -> K_SK_SK_L decay also measures 2beta., Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures, Latex2e, graphicx. To appear in Phys. Lett. B. This version includes an erratum sent to PLB: the wrong remark about untagged events has been removed. Minor misprints in Eqs. (5), (9) and (24) corrected

In quark models \`a la Bakamjian and Thomas, that yield covariance and Isgur-Wise scaling of form factors in the heavy quark limit, we compute the decay constants $f^{(n)}$ and $f^{(n)}_{1/2}$ of S-wave and P-wave mesons composed of heavy and light quarks. Heavy quark limit scaling $\sqrt{M} f = Cst$ is obtained, and it is shown that this class of models satisfies the sum rules involving decay constants and Isgur-Wise functions recently formulated by us in the heavy quark limit of QCD. Moreover, the model also satisfies the selection rules of the type $f^{(n)}_{3/2} = 0$ that must hold in this limit. We discuss different Ans\"atze for the dynamics of the mass operator at rest. For non-relativistic kinetic energies ${p^2 \over 2m}$ the decay constants are finite even if the potential $V(r)$ has a Coulomb part. For the relativistic form $\sqrt{p^2 + m^2}$, the S-wave decay constants diverge if there is a Coulomb singularity. Using phenomenological models of the spectrum with relativistic kinetic energy and regularized short distance part (Godfrey-Isgur model or Richardson potential of Colangelo et al.), that yield $\rho^2 \simeq 1$ for the elastic Isgur-Wise function, we compute the decay constants in the heavy quark limit, and obtain $f_B \simeq$ 300 MeV, of the same order although slightly smaller than in the static limit of lattice QCD. We find the decay constants of $D^{**}$ with $j =1/2$ of the same order of magnitude. The convergence of the heavy quark limit sum rules is also studied., Comment: 21 pages, 2 figures, LaTeX2e, amsbsy (from the AMS-LaTeX package), epsf

Once chosen the dynamics in one frame, the rest frame in this paper, the Bakamjian and Thomas method allows to define relativistic quark models in any frame. These models have been shown to provide, in the infinite quark mass limit, fully covariant current form factors as matrix elements of the quark current operator. In this paper we use the rest frame dynamics fitted from the meson spectrum by various authors, already shown to provide a reasonable value for $\rho^2$. From the general formulae for the scaling invariant form factors $\xi^{(n)}(w)$, $\tau_{1/2}^{(n)}(w)$ and $\tau_{3/2}^{(n)}(w)$, we predict quantitavely the $B$ semileptonic branching ratios to the ground state and orbitally excited charmed mesons $D, D^\ast$ and $D^{\ast\ast}$. We check Bjorken's sum rule and discuss the respective contributions to it. We find $\xi(w)\simeq (2/(1+w)) ^2$, resulting from the fact that the ground state wave function is Coulomb-like. We also find $\tau_{3/2}\simeq 0.5 (2/(1+w))^3$ and $\tau_{1/2}(w)\ll \tau_{3/2}(w)$. Very small branching ratios into $j=1/2$ orbitally excited $D$'s results. The overall agreement with experiment is rather good within the present accuracy which is poor for the orbitally excited charmed mesons. We predict a ratio $Br(B\to D^\ast_2 l \nu)/Br(B\to D_1 l \nu)=1.55\pm 0.15$ as a mere consequence of the heavy quark symmetry. If some faint experimental indications that $Br(B\to D_1 l \nu)\simeq Br(B\to D^\ast_2 l \nu)$ were confirmed, it would indicate a sizeable $O(1/m_c)$ correction., Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures, Latex2e, AMS-LaTeX, corrections in the figures

The slope of the Isgur-Wise function for ground state mesons is evaluated for the heavy mass limit of quark models \`a la Bakamjian-Thomas, which has been previously discussed by us in general terms. A full calculation in various spectroscopic models with relativistic kinetic energy gives a rather stable result $\rho^2 \approx 1$, much lower than previous estimates. Attention is paid to a careful comparison of this result with the ones of QCD fundamental methods (lattice QCD, QCD sum rules) and with experimental data., Comment: 15 pages, Latex, AMS-LaTeX

We consider the dominant $c\bar{c}$ contribution to $\Delta \Gamma$ for the $B_s^0$-$\bar{B}_s^0$ system in the heavy quark limit for both $b$ and $c$ quarks. In analogy with the Bjorken-Isgur-Wise sum rule in semileptonic heavy hadron decay, we impose duality between the parton model calculation of $\Delta \Gamma$ and its estimation by a sum over heavy mesons. Varying the mass ratio $m_c/m_b$ and assuming factorization and saturation by narrow resonances $(N_c \to \infty$), we obtain new sum rules that involve the Isgur-Wise functions $\xi^{(n)}(w)$ and $\tau^{(n)}_{1/2}(w)$ and the decay constants $f^{(n)}$, $f^{(n)}_{1/2}$ ($n$ stands for any radial excitation). Alternatively, we deduce the sum rules with another method free of the factorization hypothesis, from the saturation of the expectation value of a product of two currents by heavy hadrons and by the corresponding free quarks. The sum rules read $\sum\limits_{n}{f^{(n)} \over f^{(0)}} \xi^{(n)}(w) = 2 \sum\limits_{n}{f^{(n)}_{1/2} \over f^{(0)}} \tau^{(n)}_{1/2}(w) = 1$, valid for all $w$. Moreover, we obtain, in the heavy quark limit, $f^{(n)}_{3/2} = 0$. As a consequence, unlike the BIW sum rule, the slope of the elastic function $\xi (w)$ is related to radial excitations alone. These are generalizations, rigorous for QCD in the heavy quark limit, of results that have an easy understanding in the non-relativistic quark model., Comment: 15 pages

Once chosen the dynamics in one frame, for example the rest frame, the Bakamjian and Thomas method allows to define relativistic quark models in any frame. These models have been shown to provide, in the heavy quark limit, fully covariant current form factors as matrix elements of the quark current operator. They also verify the Isgur-Wise scaling and give a slope parameter $\rho^2>3/4$ for all the possible choices of the dynamics. In this paper we study the $L=1$ excited states and derive the general formula, valid for any dynamics, for the scaling invariant form factors $\tau_{1/2}^{(n)}(w)$ and $\tau_{3/2}^{(n)}(w)$. We also check the Bjorken-Isgur-Wise sum rule already demonstrated elsewhere in this class of models., Comment: 14 pages, Latex2e, AMS-LaTeX

The heavy mass limit of quark models based on the Bakamjian-Thomas cons\-truction reveals remarkable features. In addition to previously demonstrated properties of covariance and Isgur-Wise scaling, exact duality, leading to the Bjorken-Isgur-Wise sum rule, is proven, for the first time to our knowledge in relativistic quark models. Inelastic as well as elastic contributions to the sum rule are then discussed in terms of ground state averages of a few number of operators corresponding to the nonrelativistic dipole operator and various relativistic corrections., Comment: 14 pages

We show that quark models of current matrix-elements based on the Bakamjian-Thomas construction of relativistic states with a fixed number of particles, plus the additivity assumption, are covariant in the heavy-quark limit and satisfy the full set of heavy-quark symmetry relations discovered by Isgur and Wise. We find the lower bound of $\rho^2$ in such models to be $3/4$ for ground state mesons, independently of any parameter. Another welcome property of these models is that in the infinite momentum limit the wave functions vanish outside the domain $0\le x \le 1$., Comment: 16 pages

A major problem in the determination of the the CP angle $\alpha$, that should be measured through modes of the type $B_d, \bar{B}_d \to \pi \pi , \cdots ,$ is the uncertainty coming from Penguin diagrams. We consider the different ground state modes $\pi \pi$, $\pi \rho$, $\rho \rho$, and, assuming the FSI phases to be negligible, we investigate the amount of uncertainty coming from Penguins that can be parametrized by a dilution factor $D$ and an angle shift $\Delta \alpha$. The parameter $D$ is either 1 or very close to 1 in all these modes, and it can be measured independently, up to a sign ambiguity, by the $t$ dependence. Assuming factorization, we show that $\Delta \alpha$ is much smaller for the modes $\rho \pi$ and $\rho \rho$ than for $\pi \pi$, and we plot their allowed region as a function of $\alpha$ itself. Moreover, we show that most of the modes contribute to the asymmetry with the same sign, and define for their sum an effective $D_{eff}$ and an effective $\Delta \alpha_{eff}$, an average of $\Delta \alpha$ for the different modes. It turns out that $D_{eff}$ is of the order of 0.9, $\Delta \alpha_{eff}$ is between 5 $\%$ and 10 $\%$ and, relative to $\pi \pi$, the statistical gain for the sum is of about a factor 10. Finally, we compute the ratios $K\pi /\pi \pi , \cdots$ that test the strength of the Penguins and depend on the CP angles, as emphasized by Silva and Wolfenstein and by Deandrea et al., Comment: 18 pages

We study in a quark model the contradiction between factorization and duality found in nonleptonic decays at next to leading order in $1/N_c$, concentrating on quark exchange mechanism. The contradiction originates in the fact that the standard factorization assumption approximates the asymptotic final states by a non-orthogonal set of states, thus leading to an overcounting of the decay probability. We consider a system with two heavy quarks treated as classical color sources with constant velocity, and two mass-degenerate antiquarks. Exploiting permutation symmetry in an adiabatic approximation, we find that final state interaction restores duality. Three $O(1/N_c)$ effects are exhibited: i) a proper treatment of orthogonality yields a global correction $1/N_c\to 1/2N_c$ within a generalized factorization \`a la BSW, (such a factor was present in an Ansatz by Shifman), ii) the distorsion of the meson wave functions at the time of the weak decay, iii) relative phases generated by the later evolution. The latter effect becomes dominant for light antiquarks or for a small velocity of the final mesons, and may thoroughly modify the factorization picture. For exclusive decay it may interchange the role of class I and class II final channels, and for semi-inclusive decay it may lead to an equal sharing of the probability between the two sets of final states. In the heavy antiquark and large velocity limit, the replacement $1/N_c\to 1/2N_c$ is the dominant correction., Comment: 20 pages

We review mixing and CP violation in $D$ mesons, emphasizing the differences with the other pseudoscalar mesons in the Standard Model, and show that $D$ mesons can be useful to look for physics beyond the Standard Model., Comment: 5 pages, Talk presented by L. Oliver at the Journ\'ees sur les projets de Physique Hadronique, Soci\'et\'e Fran\c caise de Physique, Super-Besse (France), 12-14 janvier 1995