Factorization in color-favored B-meson decays to charm - art. no. 094001

Improved B meson decay data have permitted more incisive tests of factoriza tion predictions. A concurrent benefit is the ability to constrain the Cabi bbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element \V-eb\. Using a simultaneous fit to di fferential distributions d Gamma((B) over bar (0)-->D((*)+)l-<(<nu>)over ba r>(1))/dq(2) and the rates for the color-favored decays (B) over bar (0) -- >D(*)+(pi (-), rho (-), a(1)(-)), we find \V-eb\ =0.0415 +/-0.0022. The slo pe of the universal Isgur-Wise form factor is described by a parameter foun d to be rho (2) = 1.52 +/-0.11. Taking the D-s meson decay constant from th e world average of direct measurements, we predict satisfactorily the branc hing ratios for (B) over bar (0)--> D(*)+Ds(*)-. Ratios of helicity amplitu des for color-favored processes are also found to be in accord with predict ions.