Phase Effect of A General Two - Higgs - Doublet Model in b → sγ

In a general two-Higgs-doublet model (2HDM), without the ad hoc discrete symmetries to prevent tree-level flavor-changing-neutral currents, an extra phase angle in the charged-Higgs-fermion coupling is allowed. We show that the charged-Higgs amplitude interferes destructively or constructively with the standard model amplitude depending crucially on this phase angle. The popular model I and II are special cases of our analysis. As a result of this phase angle the severe constraint on the charged-Higgs boson mass imposed by the inclusive rate of b → sγ from CLEO can be relaxed. We also examine the effects of this phase angle on the neutron electric dipole moment. Furthermore, we also discuss other constraints on the charged-Higgs-fermion couplings coming from measurements of B0 −B0 mixing, ρ0, and Rb.