The $c\bar c$ interaction above threshold and the radiative decay $X(3872)\rightarrow J/\psi\gamma$

TL;DR

This paper investigates the radiative decay mechanisms of the X(3872) particle using single-channel and coupled-channel models, highlighting the importance of channel mixing, interaction potentials, and wave function details in predicting decay rates consistent with experimental data.

Contribution

The study introduces a coupled-channel approach with string breaking and gluon-exchange interaction considerations to accurately predict X(3872) decay rates and ratios, improving upon previous models.

Findings

Coupled-channel effects increase the X(3872) wave function component.

Gluon-exchange suppression affects decay width predictions.

Predicted decay ratios align with LHCb experimental data.

Abstract

Radiative decays of $X(3872)$ are studied in single-channel approximation (SCA) and in the coupled-channel (CC) approach, where the decay channels $D\bar D^*$ are described with the string breaking mechanism. In SCA the transition rate $\tilde{\Gamma}_2=\Gamma(2\,{}^3P_1 \rightarrow \psi\gamma)=71.8$~keV and large $\tilde{\Gamma}_1=\Gamma(2\,{}^3P_1\rightarrow J/\psi\gamma)=85.4$~keV are obtained, giving for their ratio the value $\tilde{R_{\psi\gamma}}=\frac{\tilde{\Gamma}_2}{\tilde{\Gamma}_1}=0.84$. In the CC approach three factors are shown to be equally important. First, the admixture of the $1\,{}^3P_1$ component in the normalized wave function of $X(3872)$ due to the CC effects. Its weight $c_{\rm X}(E_{\rm R})=0.200\pm 0.015$ is calculated. Secondly, the use of the multipole function $g(r)$ instead of $r$ in the overlap integrals, determining the partial widths. Thirdly, the choice of the gluon-exchange interaction for $X(3872)$, as well as for other states above threshold. If for $X(3872)$ the gluon-exchange potential is taken the same as for low-lying charmonium states, then in the CC approach $\Gamma_1= \Gamma(X(3872)\rightarrow J/\psi\gamma) \sim 3$~keV is very small, giving the large ratio $R_{\psi\gamma}=\frac{\mathcal{B}(X(3872)\rightarrow \psi(2S)\gamma)}{\mathcal{B}(X(3872)\rightarrow J/\psi\gamma)}\gg 1.0$. Arguments are presented why the gluon-exchange interaction may be suppressed for $X(3872)$ and in this case $\Gamma_1=42.7$~keV, $\Gamma_2= 70.5$~keV, and $R_{\psi\gamma}=1.65$ are predicted for the minimal value $c_{\rm X}({\rm min})=0.185$, while for the maximal value $c_{\rm X}=0.215$ we obtained $\Gamma_1=30.8$~keV, $\Gamma_2=73.2$~keV, and $R_{\psi\gamma}=2.38$, which agrees with the LHCb data.