CP asymmetries in B decays with new physics in decay amplitudes

We make a systematic analysis of the effects of new physics in the B decay amplitudes on the CP asymmetries in neutral B decays. Although these are expected to be smaller than new physics effects on the mixing amplitude, they are easier to probe in some cases. The effects of new contributions to the mixing amplitude are felt universally across all decay modes, whereas the effects of new decay amplitudes could vary from mode to mode. In particular the prediction that the CP asymmetries in the B-d decay modes with b --> c(c) over bars$, b --> c(c) over bard$, b --> c(u) over bard$ and b --> s(s) over bars$ should all measure the same quantity (sin 2 beta in the Standard Model) could be violated. Since the above Standard Model prediction is very precise, new decay amplitudes which are a few percent of the Standard Model amplitudes can be probed. Three examples of models where measurable effects are allowed are given: effective supersymmetry, models with enhanced chromomagnetic dipole operators, and supersymmetry without R parity. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.