Tetraquark mixing model is superior to meson molecules in explaining two light-meson nonets

Abstract

In this work, we compare the tetraquark mixing model and meson molecules in describing the two physical nonets in the $J^P=0^+$ channel, the light nonet [$a_0 (980)$, $K_0^* (700)$, $f_0 (500)$, $f_0 (980)$] and the heavy nonet [$a_0 (1450)$, $K_0^* (1430)$, $f_0 (1370)$, $f_0 (1500)$]. In particular, we focus on whether successful aspects of the tetraquark mixing model that apply to all members of each nonet can be reproduced from a model of meson molecules. By combining two mesons in the lowest-lying pseudoscalar nonet, we construct SU$_f$(3) molecular nonets that can be tested for the two physical nonets. This molecular approach can make two flavor nonets just as the tetraquark mixing model but this model has some difficulties in describing the universal features of the two nonets %Because of this, this molecular model cannot reproduce successful aspects of the tetraquark mixing model, such as mass splitting between the two nonets, and enhancement or suppression of the coupling strengths of the two nonets into two pseudoscalar mesons. We also compare the fall-apart modes of the tetraquark mixing model and the two-meson modes from the molecular model. A clear distinction can be seen by the two-pion modes in the isovector resonances. The two-pion modes appear in the molecular model, but not in the tetraquark mixing model. The absence of the two-pion modes is supported by the experimental decay modes of the isovector resonances.