Zc(3900)Z_c(3900): Confronting theory and lattice simulations

We consider a recent $T$-matrix analysis by Albaladejo {\it et al.}, [Phys.\ Lett.\ B {\bf 755}, 337 (2016)] which accounts for the $J/\psi\pi$ and $D^\ast\bar{D}$ coupled--channels dynamics, and that successfully describes the experimental information concerning the recently discovered $Z_c(3900)^\pm$. Within such scheme, the data can be similarly well described in two different scenarios, where the $Z_c(3900)$ is either a resonance or a virtual state. To shed light into the nature of this state, we apply this formalism in a finite box with the aim of comparing with recent Lattice QCD (LQCD) simulations. We see that the energy levels obtained for both scenarios agree well with those obtained in the single-volume LQCD simulation reported in Prelovsek {\it et al.} [Phys.\ Rev.\ D {\bf 91}, 014504 (2015)], making thus difficult to disentangle between both possibilities. We also study the volume dependence of the energy levels obtained with our formalism, and suggest that LQCD simulations performed at several volumes could help in discerning the actual nature of the intriguing $Z_c(3900)$ state

Heavy-to-light scalar form factors from Muskhelishvili-Omn\`es dispersion relations

By solving the Muskhelishvili-Omn\`es integral equations, the scalar form factors of the semileptonic heavy meson decays $D\to\pi \bar \ell \nu_\ell$, $D\to \bar{K} \bar \ell \nu_\ell$, $\bar{B}\to \pi \ell \bar\nu_\ell$ and $\bar{B}_s\to K \ell \bar\nu_\ell$ are simultaneously studied. As input, we employ unitarized heavy meson-Goldstone boson chiral coupled-channel amplitudes for the energy regions not far from thresholds, while, at high energies, adequate asymptotic conditions are imposed. The scalar form factors are expressed in terms of Omn\`es matrices multiplied by vector polynomials, which contain some undetermined dispersive subtraction constants. We make use of heavy quark and chiral symmetries to constrain these constants, which are fitted to lattice QCD results both in the charm and the bottom sectors, and in this latter sector to the light-cone sum rule predictions close to $q^2=0$ as well. We find a good simultaneous description of the scalar form factors for the four semileptonic decay reactions. From this combined fit, and taking advantage that scalar and vector form factors are equal at $q^2=0$, we obtain $|V_{cd}|=0.244\pm 0.022$, $|V_{cs}|=0.945\pm 0.041$ and $|V_{ub}|=(4.3\pm 0.7)\times10^{-3}$ for the involved Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix elements. In addition, we predict the following vector form factors at $q^2=0$: $|f_+^{D\to\eta}(0)|=0.01\pm 0.05$, $|f_+^{D_s\to K}(0)|=0.50 \pm 0.08$, $|f_+^{D_s\to\eta}(0)|=0.73\pm 0.03$ and $|f_+^{\bar{B}\to\eta}(0)|=0.82 \pm 0.08$, which might serve as alternatives to determine the CKM elements when experimental measurements of the corresponding differential decay rates become available. Finally, we predict the different form factors above the $q^2-$regions accessible in the semileptonic decays, up to moderate energies amenable to be described using the unitarized coupled-channel chiral approach.Comment: includes further discussions and references; matches the accepted versio

Lowest-lying even-parity Bˉs{\bar{B}}_s B ¯ s mesons: heavy-quark spin-flavor symmetry, chiral dynamics, and constituent quark-model bare masses

The discovery of the $$D^*_{s0}(2317)$$ and $$D_{s1}(2460)$$ resonances in the charmed-strange meson spectra revealed that formerly successful constituent quark models lose predictability in the vicinity of two-meson thresholds. The emergence of non-negligible effects due to meson loops requires an explicit evaluation of the interplay between $$Q{\bar{q}}$$ and $$(Q{\bar{q}})(q{\bar{q}})$$ Fock components. In contrast to the $$c{\bar{s}}$$ sector, there is no experimental evidence of $$J^P=0^+,1^+$$ bottom–strange states yet. Motivated by recent lattice studies, in this work the heavy-quark partners of the $$D_{s0}^*(2317)$$ and $$D_{s1}(2460)$$ states are analyzed within a heavy meson chiral unitary scheme. As a novelty, the coupling between the constituent quark-model P-wave $${\bar{B}}_s$$ scalar and axial mesons and the $${\bar{B}}^{(*)}K$$ channels is incorporated employing an effective interaction, consistent with heavy-quark spin symmetry, constrained by the lattice energy levels

Exclusive tensor meson photoproduction

We study tensor meson photoproduction outside of the resonance region, at beam energies of few GeVs. We build a model based on Regge theory that includes the leading vector and axial exchanges. We consider two determinations of the unknown helicity couplings, and fit to the recent a2 photoproduction data from CLAS. Both choices give a similar description of the a2 cross section, but result in different predictions for the parity asymmetries and the f2 photoproduction cross section. We conclude that new measurements of f2 photoproduction in the forward region are needed to pin down the correct production mechanism. We also extend our predictions to the 8.5 GeV beam energy, where current experiments are running.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, 3 tables. Version accepted for publication on Phys.Rev.

Khuri-Treiman equations for 3π decays of particles with spin

Khuri-Treiman equations have proven to be a useful theoretical tool in the analysis of three-body decays, especially into the 3π final state. In this work we present in full detail the necessary generalization of the formalism to study the decays of particles with arbitrary spin, parity, and charge conjugation. To this extent, we find it most convenient to work with helicity amplitudes instead of the so-called invariant amplitudes, especially when dealing with the unitarity relations. The isobar expansions in the three possible (s-, t-, and u-) final channels are related with the appropriate crossing matrices. We pay special attention to the kinematical singularities and constraints of the helicity amplitudes, showing that these can be derived by means of the crossing matrix

Double Polarization Observables in Pentaquark Photoproduction

We investigate the properties of the hidden charm pentaquark-like resonances first observed by LHCb in 2015, by measuring the polarization transfer KLL between the incident photon and the outgoing proton in the exclusive photoproduction of J/psi near threshold. We present a first estimate of the sensitivity of this observable to the pentaquark photocouplings and hadronic branching ratios, and extend our predictions to the case of initial state helicity correlation ALL, using a polarized target. These results serve as a benchmark for the SBS experiment at Jefferson Lab, which proposes to measure for the first time the helicity correlations ALL and KLL in J/psi exclusive photoproduction, in order to determine the pentaquark photocouplings and branching ratios.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables, Version published in PR

Dalitz-plot decomposition for three-body decays

We present a general formalism to write the decay amplitude for multibody reactions with explicit separation of the rotational degrees of freedom, which are well controlled by the spin of the decay particle, and dynamic functions on the subchannel invariant masses, which require modeling. Using the three-particle kinematics we demonstrate the proposed factorization, named the Dalitz-plot decomposition. The Wigner rotations, which are subtle factors needed by the isobar modeling in the helicity framework, are simplified with the proposed decomposition. Consequently, we are able to provide them in an explicit form suitable for the general case of arbitrary spins. The only unknown model-dependent factors are the isobar line shapes that describe the subchannel dynamics. The advantages of the new decomposition are shown through three examples relevant for the recent discovery of the exotic charmonium candidate Zc(4430), the pentaquarks Pc, and the intriguing Λc+→pK-π+ decay

Dynamics in near-threshold J/ψJ/\psi photoproduction

The study of $J/\psi$ photoproduction at low energies has consequences for the understanding of multiple aspects of nonperturbative QCD, ranging from mechanical properties of the proton, to the binding inside nuclei, and the existence of hidden-charm pentaquarks. Factorization of the photon-$c \bar c$ and nucleon dynamics or Vector Meson Dominance are often invoked to justify these studies. Alternatively, open charm intermediate states have been proposed as the dominant mechanism underlying $J/\psi$ photoproduction. As the latter violates this factorization, it is important to estimate the relevance of such contributions. We analyse the latest differential and integrated photoproduction cross sections from the GlueX and $J/\psi$-007 experiments. We show that the data can be adequately described by a small number of partial waves, which we parameterize with generic models enforcing low-energy unitarity. The results suggest a nonnegligible contribution from open charm intermediate states. Furthermore, most of the models present an elastic scattering length incompatible with previous extractions based on Vector Meson Dominance, and thus call into question its applicability to heavy mesons. Our results indicate a wide array of physics possibilities that are compatible with present data and need to be disentangled.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, 2 table