Role of current quark mass dependent multi-quark interactions in low lying meson mass spectra

TL;DR

This paper introduces current-quark mass dependent multi-quark interactions into effective models, crucially improving the description of low-lying meson mass spectra and their empirical ordering.

Contribution

It identifies and incorporates a new class of mass-dependent multi-quark interactions that break chiral symmetries, enhancing the modeling of meson mass splittings.

Findings

Correctly reproduces the ordering of pseudoscalar meson masses.

Essential for explaining scalar meson mass hierarchy.

Aligns with large N_c counting rules.

Abstract

We call attention to a class of current-quark mass dependent multi-quark interaction terms which break explicitly the chiral $SU(3)_L\times SU(3)_R$ and $U_A(1)$ symmetries. They complete the set of effective quark interactions that contribute at the same order in $N_c$ as the 't Hooft flavor determinant interaction and the eight quark interactions in the phase of spontaneously broken chiral symmetry. The $N_c$ classification scheme matches the counting rules based on arguments set by the scale of spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking. Together with the leading in $N_c$ four quark Nambu-Jona-Lasinio Lagrangian and current quark mass matrix, the model is apt to account for the correct empirical ordering and magnitude of the splitting of states in the low lying mass spectra of spin zero mesons. The new terms turn out to be essential for the ordering $m_K < m_\eta$ in the pseudoscalar sector and $m_{\kappa_0} < m_{a_0}\sim m_{f0}$ for the scalars.