Polarization in B→VV decays

Factorizable amplitudes in B decays to light vector meson pairs give a longitudinal polarization satisfying 1 - f(L) = O(1/m(b)(2)). This remains formally true when non-factorizable graphs are included in QCD factorization, and is numerically realized in B --> rhorho. In DeltaS = 1 decays a QCD penguin annihilation graph can effectively contribute at leading power to the transverse and longitudinal amplitudes. The observed longitudinal polarization, f(L)(B --> phiK*) approximate to 50%, can therefore be accounted for in the SM. The ratio of transverse rates Gamma(perpendicular to)/Gamma(parallel to) provides a sensitive test for new right-handed currents. The transverse b --> sg dipole operator amplitudes are highly suppressed. CP violation measurements can therefore discriminate between new contributions to the dipole and four quark operators. SU(3)(F) violation in QCD penguin amplitudes can easily be O(1), in general, due to annihilation. Implications for B --> rhoK* polarization and New Physics searches are pointed out. (C) 2004, Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.