Inclusive B decays from resummed perturbation theory

Abstract

I review the recent progress in computing inclusive B decay widths and spectra and its implications on the interpretation of measurements from the B factories. I discuss the inclusive charmless semileptonic decay, B -> X_u l nu, which provides the most robust determination of the CKM parameter |V_{ub}|, and the rare radiative decay, B -> X_s gamma, which constrains flavor violation beyond the Standard Model. I demonstrate that precise predictions for the experimentally-relevant branching fractions can be derived from resummed perturbation theory and explain the way in which the resummation further provides guidance in parametrizing non-perturbative Fermi-motion effects. Finally I address the comparison between theory and data and discuss future prospects.

8 pages, 5 figures; Summary of two talks at the CKM workshop CKM2006, December 2006, Nagoya, Japan