| The thesis work presented herein deals with calculations of inclusive B meson decays, with the aim of improving extractions of the Standard Model parameters |Vcb|, | Vub| and mb. In the first chapter, we review the theoretical structure of the Standard Model and its experimental status. In the following chapter we discuss the general theoretical framework used in the study of inclusive decays.; The inclusive decay spectra of B¯ → X cℓnu allow the CKM element |V cb|, and the b quark mass mb , to be determined from experiment. Calculations of these decays parameterize the nonperturbative physics of the B meson is in a series of nonperturbative parameters through an expansion in the ratio Λ QCD/mb. In the third chapter, the general moment method developed to improve the determination of these nonperturbative parameters, and examine the assumption of negligible Quark-Hadron duality violation in these decays, is outlined. The lepton energy spectra and hadronic invariant mass spectra of B¯ → Xcℓ nu are then examined with this approach.; We also present the O (alphas) correction to the hadronic tensor for B¯ → Xcℓnu decay spectra, determining the lepton energy cut dependence of the O (alphasΛQCD/ mb) term. These results were used in a general fit to B decay shape variables; the results of this investigation are reported.; The inclusive decay spectra of B¯ → Xuℓnuℓ, used to extract |Vub|, can also be examined in a nonperturbative expansion of ΛQCD/mb. In the final chapter, we examine the anomalous dimension matrix of the subleading operators characterizing the phase space restricted B¯ → Xuℓnuℓ and B¯ → Xsgamma decay spectra. Operator mixing is found between the operators which occur at subleading order, requiring that the subleading operator basis be extended. |
