Coupled-channel Dalitz plot analysis of $D^+\to K^- \pi^+\pi^+$ decay

TL;DR

This paper shows that a unitary coupled-channel model provides significantly different and more comprehensive partial wave amplitudes for the $D^+ o K^-\pi^+\pi^+$ decay than traditional isobar models, highlighting the importance of rescattering effects.

Contribution

The study introduces a coupled-channel analysis that accounts for hadronic rescattering, offering a more accurate description of the decay process compared to isobar models.

Findings

Coupled-channel model significantly alters partial wave amplitudes.

Rescattering mechanisms can triple the decay width.

Isobar models may underestimate decay dynamics.

Abstract

We demonstrate that partial wave amplitudes extracted from $D^+\to K^-\pi^+\pi^+$ Dalitz plot with a unitary coupled-channel model are significantly different from those obtained with an isobar model. The unitary coupled-channel model takes account of hadronic rescattering mechanisms involving all three mesons that have been missed in conventioanl isobar model analyses. The rescattering mechanisms contribute largely, and can triplicate the $D^+\to {K}^-\pi^+\pi^+$ decay width within our analysis. These findings deliver a warning that analysis results obtained with isobar models should be looked with a caution. The determination of the CKM angle $\gamma/\phi_3$ is a highly relevant problem.