Review of Semileptonic $B$ Anomalies

Abstract

We review the current status and implications of the anomalies (i.e. deviations from the Standard Model predictions) in semi-leptonic $B$ meson decays, both in the charged and in the neutral current. In $b\to s\ell^+\ell^-$ transitions significant tensions between measurements and the Standard Model predictions exist. They are most pronounced in the branching ratios ${\cal B}_{B \to Kμ^+μ^-}$ and ${\cal B}_{B_s\toϕμ^+μ^-}$ (albeit quite dependent on the form factors used) as well as in angular observables in $B\to K^*μ^+μ^-$ (the $P_5^\prime$ anomaly). Because the measurements of ${\cal B}_{B_s\to μ^+μ^-}$ and of the ratios $R_K$ and $R_{K^*}$ agree reasonably well with the SM predictions, this points towards (dominantly) lepton flavour universal New Physics coupling vectorially to leptons, i.e. contributions to $C_9^{\rm U}$. In fact, global fits prefer this scenario over the SM hypothesis by $5.8σ$. Concerning $b\to cτν$ transitions, $R(D)$ and $R(D^*)$ suggest constructive New Physics at the level of $10\%$ (w.r.t. the Standard Model amplitude) with a significance above $3σ$. We discuss New Physics explanations of both anomalies separately as well as possible combined explanations. In particular, a left-handed vector current solution to $R(D^{(*)})$, either via the $U_1$ leptoquark or the combination of the scalar leptoquarks $S_1$ and $S_3$, leads to an effect in $C_9^{\rm U}$ via an off-shell penguin with the right sign and magnitude and a combined significance (including a tree-level effect resulting in $C_{9μ}^\mathrm{V}=-C_{10μ}^\mathrm{V}$ and $R(D^{(*)})$) of $6.3σ$. Such a scenario can be tested with $b \to s τ^+τ^-$ decays. Finally, we point out an interesting possible correlation of $R(D^{(*)})$ with non-leptonic $B$ anomalies.