Triangle singularity in $\tau \to f_1(1285)\pi\nu_\tau$ decay

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that the decay of tau into f1(1285) pi nu_tau is dominated by a triangle singularity mechanism involving K* and K mesons, supporting the molecular nature of f1(1285).

Contribution

It introduces a triangle loop mechanism explanation for the decay, linking the f1(1285) resonance to a molecular K* K state, and predicts observable mass distribution deviations.

Findings

Good agreement with experimental decay width

Significant deviation of mass distribution from phase space

Supports the molecular K* K interpretation of f1(1285)

Abstract

We show that the $\tau^-$ decay into $f_1(1285)\pi^-\nu_\tau $ is dominated by a triangle loop mechanism with $K^*$, $\bar K^*$ and $K$ (or $\bar K$) as internal lines, which manifests a strong enhancement reminiscent of a nearby singularity present in the narrow $K^*$ limit. The $f_1(1285)$ is then produced by its coupling to the $K^*\bar K$ and $\bar K^*K$ which is obtained from a previous model where this resonance was dynamically generated as a molecular $K^*\bar K$ (or $\bar K^*K$) state using the techniques of the chiral unitary approach. We make predictions for the $f_1 \pi$ mass distribution which significantly deviates from the phase-space shape, due to the distortion caused by the triangle singularity. We find a good agreement with the experimental value within uncertainties for the integrated partial decay width, which is a clear indication of the importance of the triangle singularity in this decay and supports the dynamical origin of the $f_1(1285)$ as a $K^*\bar K$ and $\bar K^* K$ molecular state.