QCD Sum Rule Analysis of the Decays $B \to K \ell^+ \ell^-$ and $B \to K^* \ell^+ \ell^-$

Abstract

We use QCD sum rules to calculate the hadronic matrix elements governing the rare decays $B \to K \ell^+ \ell^-$ and $B \to K^* \ell^+ \ell^-$ induced by the flavour changing neutral current $b \to s$ transition. We also study relations among semileptonic and rare $B \to K^{(*)}$ decay form factors. The analysis of the invariant mass distribution of the lepton pair in $B \to K^{(*)} \ell^+ \ell^-$ and of the angular asymmetry in $B \to K^* \ell^+ \ell^-$ provides us with interesting tests of the Standard Model and its extensions.

26 pages REVTEX + 7 figures. Some typos corrected, figure 5 and 7 modified. This version will appear on Physical Review D