Emerging understanding of the ΔI = 1/2 Rule from Lattice QCD

Abstract

There has been much speculation as to the origin of the ΔI = 1/2 rule (Re A_0/Re A_2 \simeq 22.5). We find that the two dominant contributions to the ΔI=3/2, K \to ππ correlation functions have opposite signs leading to a significant cancellation. This partial cancellation occurs in our computation of Re A_2 with physical quark masses and kinematics (where we reproduce the experimental value of A_2) and also for heavier pions at threshold. For Re A_0, although we do not have results at physical kinematics, we do have results for pions at zero-momentum with m_π \simeq 420 MeV (Re A_0/Re A_2=9.1(2.1)) and m_π \simeq 330 MeV (Re A_0/Re A_2=12.0(1.7)). The contributions which partially cancel in Re A_2 are also the largest ones in Re A_0, but now they have the same sign and so enhance this amplitude. The emerging explanation of the ΔI=1/2 rule is a combination of the perturbative running to scales of O(2 GeV), a relative suppression of Re A_2 through the cancellation of the two dominant contributions and the corresponding enhancement of Re A_0. QCD and EWP penguin operators make only very small contributions at such scales.

5 pages, 4 figures. v2 minor revisions to coincide w/ published version