Proposal for exotic-hadron search by fragmentation functions

TL;DR

This paper proposes using fragmentation functions to identify exotic hadrons, demonstrating that certain features can distinguish tetraquark structures from traditional quark-antiquark states, though current data are insufficient for definitive conclusions.

Contribution

It introduces a method to identify exotic hadrons via fragmentation functions and provides an analysis of the f_0(980) meson, highlighting the potential of future precise data.

Findings

Fragmentation functions can differentiate tetraquark from qar q structures.

Current data are insufficient to determine the internal structure of f_0(980).

Future precise measurements could identify exotic quark configurations.

Abstract

It is proposed that fragmentation functions should be used to identify exotic hadrons. As an example, fragmentation functions of the scalar meson f_0(980) are investigated. It is pointed out that the second moments and functional forms of the u- and s-quark fragmentation functions can distinguish the tetraquark structure from $q\bar q$. By the global analysis of f_0 (980) production data in electron-positron annihilation, its fragmentation functions and their uncertainties are determined. It is found that the current available data are not sufficient to determine its internal structure, while precise data in future should be able to identify exotic quark configurations.