The B -> pi K puzzle and supersymmetry

Abstract

At present, there are discrepancies between the measurements of several observables in B -> pi K decays and the predictions of the Standard Model (the B -> pi K puzzle"). Although the effect is not yet statistically significant-it is at the level of greater than or similar to 3 sigma-it does hint at the presence of new physics. In this Letter, we explore whether supersymmetry (SUSY) can explain the B -> pi K puzzle. In particular, we consider the SUSY model of Grossman, Neubert and Kagan (GNK). We find that it is extremely unlikely that GNK explains the B -> pi K data. We also find a similar conclusion in many other models of SUSY. And there are serious criticisms of the two SUSY models that do reproduce the B -> pi K data. If the B -> pi K puzzle remains, it could pose a problem for SUSY models. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.