Experimental Search for Pentaquarks

TL;DR

This paper reviews experimental efforts to detect pentaquarks, analyzing past evidence, null results, and theoretical implications, with a focus on the narrow width of the Theta+ pentaquark.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of experimental searches for pentaquarks and discusses the theoretical challenges posed by their narrow widths.

Findings

Mixed experimental evidence for pentaquarks.

Constraints from K+N scattering data.

Discussion on the narrow width of Theta+.

Abstract

The experimental evidence for pentaquarks, both old an new, is discussed. Constraints due to $K^+N$ scattering data from previous decades is first reviewed, followed by experiments with positive evidence and those with null results. Finally, the problem of the narrow width of the Theta+ pentaquark is discussed, along with theoretical implications.