On the scattering of D and D* mesons off the X(3872)

TL;DR

This paper models the scattering of D and D* mesons off the X(3872), assuming it is a weakly-bound molecule, and predicts phase shifts and cross sections using effective field theory, highlighting universal three-body properties.

Contribution

It provides the first calculation of D and D* meson scattering off X(3872) assuming a molecular structure, using effective field theory to predict observable scattering parameters.

Findings

Calculated phase shifts and cross sections for D and D* mesons scattering off X(3872)

Demonstrated universal properties in a three-body hadronic system

Suggested methods to extract scattering information from experimental data

Abstract

Both the mass (just below the D^{*0}Dbar^0 threshold) and the likely quantum numbers (J^{PC}=1^{++}) of the X(3872) suggest that it is either a weakly-bound hadronic ``molecule'' or a virtual state of charmed mesons. Assuming the X(3872) is a weakly-bound molecule, the scattering of neutral D and D* mesons off the X(3872) can be predicted from the X(3872) binding energy. We calculate the phase shifts and cross section for scattering of D^0 and D^{*0} mesons and their antiparticles off the X(3872) in an effective field theory for short-range interactions. This provides another example of a three-body process, along with those in nuclear and atomic systems, that displays universal properties. It may be possible to extract the scattering within the final state interactions of B_c decays and/or other LHC events.