CP asymmetry measurements in J/psi K-0 and the CKM paradigm

Recent experimental observations of CP asymmetry in B --> J/psi + K-0 const itute the first significant signal of CP-violation outside the neutral kaon system; thus they represent an important milestone to test the CKM paradig m. We, therefore, undertake a critical appraisal of the existing experiment al and theoretical inputs used to deduce constraints on sin 2 beta and othe r important parameters and thus find, in particular, sin 2 beta > 0.47 at 9 5% CL which is completely compatible with the combined experimental result: sin2 beta = 0.48 +/- 0.16, representing an important success of the CKM mo del of CP-violation. Searches for new physics in B decays to J/psi + KO lik e final states will require improved precision: we make some suggestions to facilitate these. We also present a global fit including the new CP asymme try measurements in B --> J/psi + K-0 as an additional input yielding, e.g. , gamma = (29 degrees --> 67 degrees), (n) over bar = (0.20 --> 0.37), (p) over bar = (0.08 --> 0.36), J(CP) = (1.8 --> 3.1) x 10(-5) Br(K+ --> pi (+) nu<(<nu>)over bar>) = (0.52 --> 0.92) x 10(-10), Br(K-L --> pi (0)nu<(<nu>) over bar>) = (0.11 --> 0.31) x 10(-10) and Deltam(Bs) = (15.2-28.3) ps(-1), all 95% CL. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.