We evaluate the one-loop corrections to the Wilson coefficient of the kinetic operator in the operator product expansion of the differential B -> X_c l nu decay rate. With a moderate cut on the lepton energy, the one-loop terms change the kinetic operator contributions to spectral moments by about 20%. This amounts to a small correction for leptonic and hadronic moments, except for those which vanish at the lowest order, where the effect can be sizable. Together with a two-loop calculation of the leading-power rate and an evaluation of the one-loop corrections to the Wilson coefficient of the chromo-magnetic operator, our results will allow for a high-precision determination of |V_cb| and the b- and c-quark masses.

We evaluate the one-loop corrections to the Wilson coefficient of the kinetic operator in the operator product expansion of the differential → Xcℓ decay rate. With a moderate cut on the lepton energy, the one-loop terms change the kinetic operator contributions to spectral moments by about 20%. This amounts to a small correction for leptonic and hadronic moments, except for those which vanish at the lowest order, where the effect can be sizable. Together with a two-loop calculation of the leading-power rate and an evaluation of the one-loop corrections to the Wilson coefficient of the chromo-magnetic operator, our results will allow for a high-precision determination of |Vcb| and the b- and c-quark masses.

We study radiative corrections to →Xcℓℓ decays assuming the power counting mc ∼ (ΛQCDmb)1/2 for the charm-quark mass. Concentrating on the shape-function region, we use effective field-theory methods to calculate the hadronic tensor at NLO accuracy. From this we deduce a shape-function independent relation between partially integrated →Xcℓℓ and →Xuℓℓ spectra to leading power in 1/mb, including first-order corrections in the strong coupling constant. This may provide an independent cross-check on the determination of the CKM element |Vub|.

We study inclusive semi-leptonic (B -> X_c \ell \nu) decay using the power counting m_c ~ \sqrt{Lambda_{QCD} m_b}. Assuming this scaling for the charm-quark mass, the decay kinematics can be chosen to access the shape-function region even in b -> c transitions. To apply effective field theory methods in this region we extend SCET to describe massive collinear quarks. We calculate the tree-level decay rate, including O(Lambda_{QCD}/m_b) power corrections, and show that it factorizes into a convolution of jet and shape functions. We identify a certain kinematical variable whose decay spectrum is proportional to the universal leading-order shape function familiar from b -> u decay, and speculate as to whether information about this shape function can be extracted from data on b -> c decay.

We study radiative corrections to (B) over bar -> X(c)l (nu) over bar (l) decays assuming the power counting m(c) similar to root Lambda(QCD)m(b) for the charm-quark mass. Concentrating on the shape-function region, we use effective field-theory methods to calculate the hadronic tensor at NLO accuracy. From this we deduce a shape-function independent relation between partially integrated (B) over bar -> X(c)l (nu) over bar (l) and (B) over bar -> X(u)l (nu) over bar (l) spectra to leading power in 1/m(b), including first-order corrections in the strong coupling constant. This may provide an independent crosscheck on the determination of the CKM element vertical bar V-ub vertical bar.

We study inclusive semileptonic B -> X(c)l nu(l) decay using the power counting m(c) similar to root Lambda(QCD)m(b). Assuming this scaling for the charm-quark mass, the decay kinematics can be chosen to access the shape-function region even in b -> c transitions. To apply effective field theory methods in this region we extend soft-collinear effective theory to describe massive collinear quarks. We calculate the tree-level decay rate, including O(Lambda(QCD)/m(b)) power corrections, and show that it factorizes into a convolution of jet and shape functions. We identify a certain kinematical variable whose decay spectrum is proportional to the universal leading-order shape function familiar from b -> u decay, and speculate as to whether information about this shape function can be extracted from data on b -> c decay.

We study radiative corrections to B̅→ X_c ℓν̅_ℓ decays assuming the power counting m_c ∼√(Λ_QCD m_b) for the charm-quark mass. Concentrating on the shape-function region, we use effective field-theory methods to calculate the hadronic tensor at NLO accuracy. From this we deduce a shape-function independent relation between partially integrated B̅→ X_cℓν̅_ℓ and B̅→ X_u ℓν̅_ℓ spectra to leading power in 1/m_b, including first-order corrections in the strong coupling constant. This may provide an independent cross-check on the determination of the CKM element |V_ub|.

We study the corrections to the determination of sin(2 beta) from the time dependent CP asymmetry of B^0 to J/Psi K_S which arise in the standard model. Although a precise prediction of these corrections is not possible we find that they are indeed extremely small, of the order of less than a per mil of the observed value. This means in turn that any deviation visible at the B factories will be a clear signal for new physics.

We study the corrections to the determination of sin(2β) from the time dependent CP asymmetry of B 0 → J/� KS which arise in the standard model. Although a precise prediction of these corrections is not possible we find that they are indeed extremely small, of the order of less than a per mil of the observed value. This means in turn that any deviation visible at the B factories will be a clear signal for new physics.