Classification and Application of Triangular Quark Mass Matrices

The hierarchical structure in the quark masses and mixings allows its ten physical parameters to be most conveniently encoded in mass matrices of the upper triangular form. We classify these matrices in the hierarchical, minimal parameter basis where the mismatch between the weak and mass eigenstates involves only small mixing angles. Ten such pairs are obtained for the up and down quarks. This analysis can be used to classify texture zeros of general mass matrices. For hermitian mass matrices with five texture zeros, this method yields immediately five pairs of textures with simple, analytic predictions for the quark mixings. Comparison with data indicates that, of the five pairs, three are disfavored, one is marginally acceptable, while the fifth fits well.