Exploring the two-body strong decay properties of the possible $\Lambda_cK^{*}$ and $\Sigma_cK^{(*)}$ molecules

TL;DR

This study investigates the strong decay properties of potential $ ext{Lambda}_c K^*$ and $ ext{Sigma}_c K^{(*)}$ molecular states using an effective Lagrangian approach, providing predictions for decay widths and dominant channels.

Contribution

It offers the first detailed analysis of decay behaviors of these molecular states, highlighting their decay widths and dominant channels based on their quantum numbers.

Findings

Decay widths range from a few MeV to over 100 MeV depending on the state.

Dominant decay channels include $ ext{Sigma}_c K$, $ ext{Lambda}_c K$, and $ ext{Sigma}_c^* K$.

Branching ratios are insensitive to binding energy variations.

Abstract

In this work, we apply the effective Lagrangian approach to investigate the two-body strong decay behaviors of the possible $\Lambda_c K^*$ and $\Sigma_c K^{(*)}$ molecules, as predicted in our previous study [\href{https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.108.054011}{Phys. Rev. D \textbf{108}, 054011 (2023)}]. Our results indicate that the decay width for the coupled $\Sigma_c K / \Lambda_c K^* / \Sigma_c K^*$ molecule with $I(J^P) = 1/2(1/2^-)$ is on the order of several MeV, with the $D_s N$ channel being dominant. For the coupled $\Lambda_c K^* / \Sigma_c K^*$ molecule with $1/2(1/2^-, 3/2^-)$, the decay widths are on the order of tens of MeV, with the dominant channels being $\Sigma_c K$ and $\Sigma_c^* K$, respectively. For the $\Sigma_c K^*$ molecules with $1/2(1/2^-)$, the decay width can reach one hundred MeV, with $\Sigma_c K$ and $\Lambda_c K$ being the dominant decay channels. The decay widths for the $\Sigma_c K^*$ molecules with $1/2(3/2^-)$ and $3/2(1/2^-)$ are on the order of tens of MeV, with the dominant decay modes being $\Sigma_c^* K$ and $\Sigma_c K$, respectively. The branching ratios for all the discussed channels show little dependence on the binding energies.