Precision Global Determination Of The B -> X-S Gamma Decay Rate

We perform the first global fit to inclusive B -> X-s gamma measurements using a model-independent treatment of the nonperturbative b-quark distribution function, with next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic resummation and O(alpha(2)(s)) fixed-order contributions. The normalization of the B -> X-s gamma decay rate, given by vertical bar(C7VtbVts)-V-incl*vertical bar(2), is sensitive to physics beyond the standard model (SM). We determine vertical bar(C7VtbVts)-V-incl*vertical bar = (14.77 +/- 0.51(fit) +/- 0.59(theory) +/- 0.08(param)) x 10(-3), in good agreement with the SM prediction, and the b-quark mass m(b)(1S) = (4.750 +/- 0.027(fit) +/- 0.033(theory) +/- 0.003(param)) GeV. Our results suggest that the uncertainties in the extracted B -> X-s gamma rate have been underestimated by up to a factor of 2, leaving more room for beyond-SM contributions.