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Raquel Molina

Publications and source records attributed to Raquel Molina.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Theoretical description of the $D^{+} \to \bar{K}^{0} \pi^{+} \pi^{0} \pi^{0}$ reaction

We study the $D^{+} \rightarrow \bar{K}^{0} \pi^{+} \pi^{0} \pi^{0}$ reaction, which shows two clear structures: the $\bar{K}^{*0}$ and $\rho^{+}$ in the $\bar{K}^{0} \pi^{0}$ and $\pi^{+} \pi^{0}$ mass distributions, respectively. The study is done starting from the quark level with external and internal emission and hadronizing a pair of quarks to produce a vector and two pseudoscalars. We also consider another mechanism, which does not require hadronization of quark pairs: the direct production of $\bar{K}^{*0}$ and $\rho^{+}$. With the help of six unknown parameters which are fitted to the data, we are able to get a very good agreement with experimental data for the $\bar{K}^{0} \pi^{0}$ and $\pi^{+} \pi^{0}$ mass distributions and a qualitative one for the rest of mass distributions which do not show any particular structure experimentally.

hep-ph

Machine learning unveils the quark mass dependence of the pseudoscalar meson decay constants in three-flavour N$^2$LO ChPT

The quark mass dependence of the pseudoscalar meson decay consntants, $f_\pi, f_K$ and $f_\eta$, are determined from three-flavor N$^2$LO ChPT till pion masses around $780$ MeV, near the SU(3) limit. This is done by conducting an analysis of recent LQCD data using the LASSO method, a machine-learning technique which allows to pin down the relevant low-energy-constants with high precision. Since the pion decay constant is a fundamental quantity which usually appears in relevant phenomenological lagrangians or Effective Field Theories based on QCD at low energies, this analysis can be used as input to evaluate the quark mass dependence of hadronic states. As an example, we predict the masses of the octect baryons in the SU(3) limit within covariant Baryon Chiral Perturbation Theory.

hep-ph

Revealing the $D_0^*(2300)$ two-pole structure from lattice data and the SU(3) limit

We perform an analysis of LQCD light - charmed (pseudoscalar) meson scattering data with UChPT for pion masses ranging from $m_\pi\simeq 230$~MeV till the SU(3) limit, $m_\pi\simeq 700$~MeV. We find two poles in the non-strange isospin $I=1/2$ sector that can be related to the experimental $D_0(2300)$ resonance. At the physical pion mass, the poles are located at $\sqrt{s_0}=2094(7)(1)-i111(7)(13)$ MeV, and $2463(60)(30)-i108(14)(12)$~MeV. While the first pole, named here $D_0^*(2100)$, is always a resonance in $D\pi$ within the $1\sigma$ region, the second pole can be a resonance or virtual state close to the $D\eta, D_s\bar{K}$ thresholds. For the first time, the pion mass dependence on different chiral trajectories including SU(3) LQCD data are investigated for these poles. We find that in the $m_s=m_{s,\mathrm{phy}}$ trajectory, the $D_0^*(2100)$ resonance pole behaves similarly as the $\sigma$ resonance in $\pi\pi$ scattering, splitting into two poles, connected to the $\bar{\mathbf{3}}$ representation. Moreover, we found that the higher pole related to the experimental $D_0^*(2300)$ can be related to the $\mathbf{6}$ representation. We highlight that since this pole couples strongly to channels with hidden strangeness, its mass is fairly constant in the $\mathrm{Tr}[M]=C$ trajectory, what can be tested in future LQCD simulations. The compositeness of the $D_0^*(2100)$ state at the SU(3) limit is evaluated. Finally, other sectors are also discussed.

hep-ph

Superexotic $K^{*+}D^{*+}K^{*+}$ bound state

We study a system made from $K^{*+}D^{*+}K^{*+}$ with charge $3$, isospin $I=3/2$, spin $J=3$, and a quark content of $c\bar d \bar s u \bar s u$, which make it highly exotic relative to the standard $q\bar q$ structure of mesons. The interaction of the three body system is obtained starting from a cluster of $K^{*+}D^{*+}$ in $I=1$ and $J=2$, that in different works has been found bound, and adding to it an extra $K^{*+}$ with spin aligned with those of the vectors of the cluster. We find that the $K^* K^*$ interaction in $I=1$ and $J=2$ is repulsive, but its strength is small compared to that of $K^{*+}D^{*+}$ in $I=1$ and $J=2$, such that we find a three body state bound by about $100 \, \rm MeV$ with respect to the mass of a $K^{*+}$ and the $K^{*+} D^{*+}$ cluster. The width of the state, of about $10\, \rm MeV$, is much smaller than the binding, which facilitates its observation. We suggest to find that state by measuring the invariant mass of $K D K^*$, something feasible in present experimental facilities.

hep-ph

Chiral Evolution and Femtoscopic Signatures of the $K_1(1270)$ Resonance

We present a comprehensive study of the axial-vector resonance $K_1(1270)$ within the unitarized chiral perturbation theory, focusing on its two-pole structure and manifestation in femtoscopic observables. By considering the dominant $\rho K$ and $K^*\pi$ coupled channels, we reproduce the well-established double-pole structure and trace the chiral evolution of both poles as functions of the pion mass, using the vector-meson mass trajectories fitted to lattice-QCD data and experimental values. The lower pole, dominantly coupled to $K^*\pi$, evolves from an above-threshold resonance to a virtual or bound state with increasing pion mass. In comparison, the higher pole, dominantly coupled to $\rho K$, moves downward in energy, reflecting the strengthening of the chiral attraction. The influence of the finite vector-meson widths is systematically examined, showing that their inclusion smooths the pole trajectories without altering their qualitative behavior. Furthermore, femtoscopic CFs are calculated for all relevant vector-pseudoscalar channels in both charged sectors. The results exhibit distinct resonance and bound-state features consistent with the two-pole dynamics. The weak impact of higher channels, such as $\omega \bar{K}$, $\bar{K}^*\eta$, and $\phi\bar{K}$, confirms that the simplified two-channel treatment captures the essential dynamics of the $K_1(1270)$ resonance. This study demonstrates that combining chiral extrapolation and femtoscopic correlation analyses provides a powerful and complementary framework for connecting lattice-QCD calculations, chiral effective theory, and experimental measurements, offering new insights into the molecular nature and chiral origin of the $K_1(1270)$ resonance.

hep-ph

The $\Lambda_c^+\to\Lambda\pi^+\pi^+\pi^-$ reaction, and a triangle singularity producing the $\Sigma^*(1430)$ state

We study the decay $\Lambda_c^+ \to \Lambda \pi^+ \pi^+ \pi^-$, focusing on the production of the $\Sigma^*(1430)$ resonance observed by the Belle Collaboration. Interpreted as a dynamically generated state from meson-baryon interactions in the chiral unitary approach, the $\Sigma^*(1430)$ signal is shown to be enhanced by a triangle singularity involving intermediate $K^{*-}$, $p$, and $\bar K^0$ states. This mechanism leads to a sharp peak near 1434 MeV in the $\pi^+ \Lambda$ invariant mass distribution, in agreement with the experimental observations, and predicts a secondary peak around 1875 MeV in the $\pi^- \Sigma^*(1430)$ spectrum tied to the triangle singularity. We also estimate the branching ratio of $\Lambda_c^+ \to \pi^+ \pi^- \Sigma^*(1430)$ to be about $3.5 \times 10^{-4}$. The results for the branching ratio and the $\pi^- \Sigma^*(1430)$ mass distributions are predictions of the theoretical approach, which could be tested with reanalysis of existing data.

hep-ph

Study of the exotic three-body $N D^* \bar{K}^*$ system

We have studied the $N D^* \bar{K}^*$ system in the framework of the Fixed Center Approximation to the Faddeev equations, taking the exotic $D^* \bar{K}^* $ system as the cluster and allowing the N to interact with the components of the cluster. Previous studies have determined the existence of three states of spin $0,1,2$ for the $D^* \bar{K}^* $ system, the one of spin $0$ associated to the $X_0(2900)$ state observed by the LHCb collaboration. From this perspective, we find five states with total spin $1/2,3/2,5/2$, with bindings from $10$ to $30$ MeV and widths below $60$ MeV, which could be well identified. We also discuss the decay channels of these states that should help in future experimental searches of these states.

hep-ph

A unitary coupled-channel three-body amplitude with pions and kaons

Three-body dynamics above threshold is required for the reliable extraction of many amplitudes and resonances from experiment and lattice QCD. The S-matrix principle of unitarity can be used to construct dynamical coupled-channel approaches in which three particles scatter off each other, re-arranging two-body subsystems by particle exchange. This paper reports the development of a three-body coupled-channel, amplitude including pions and kaons. The unequal-mass amplitude contains two-body S- and P-wave subsystems ("isobars") of all isospins, $I=0,\,1/2,\,1,\, 3/2, \, 2$, and it also allows for transitions within a given isobar. The $f_0(500)\, ("\sigma"),\,f_0(980),\,\rho(700), K_0^*(700)\,("\kappa")$, and $K^*(892)$ resonances are included, apart from repulsive isobars. Different methods to evaluate the amplitude for physical momenta are discussed. Production amplitudes for $a_1$ quantum numbers are shown as a proof of principle for the numerical implementation.

nucl-th

Pole trajectories of the $\Lambda(1405)$ helps establish its dynamical nature

The $\Lambda(1405)$ has been one of the most controversial exotic baryons. If the $\Lambda(1405)$ possesses a two-pole molecular structure, these poles are expected to evolve differently towards the SU(3) limit. From an analysis of a recent LQCD simulation on the $\pi\Sigma-\bar{K}N$ scattering for $I=0$ and the study of the quark mass dependence of the octet baryon masses, we determine for the first time the trajectories of these poles towards the symmetric point over the $\mathrm{Tr}[M]=C$ trajectory accurately. At $m_\pi\simeq 200$ MeV, our results are consistent with the lattice simulations, and the extrapolations to the physical point, based on the NLO chiral Lagrangians, agree well with existing experimental analyses. We predict qualitatively similar trajectories at LO and up to NLO, consistent with the LO interaction's dominance. At the SU(3) symmetric point of this trajectory, both poles are on the physical sheet, and the lower pole is located at $E^{(1)}=1573(6)(6)$ MeV, becoming a SU(3) singlet, while the higher pole at $E^{(8a)}=1589(7)(5)$ MeV couples to the octet representation. Moreover, we make predictions in $I=1$ for the $\Sigma^*$ resonance. We find a resonance pole that evolves into a bound state around $m_\pi=415$ MeV in this sector. The results presented here are crucial to shed light on the molecular nature of exotic strange baryon resonances and can be tested in future LQCD simulations.

hep-ph

The $\Omega_c \to \pi^+ \, (\pi^0,\, \eta)\, \pi \Xi^*$ reactions and the two $\Xi(1820)$ states

We have studied the $\Omega_c \to \pi^+ (\pi^0, \eta) \pi \Xi^*$ decays, where the final $\pi \Xi^*$ comes from the decay of two resonances around the nominal $\Xi(1820)$, which are generated from the interaction of coupled channels made of a pseudoscalar and a baryon of the decuplet. The $\pi \Xi^*$ mass distributions obtained in the six different reactions studied are quite different and we single out four of them, which are free of a tree level contribution, showing more clearly the effect of the resonances. The lower mass resonance is clearly seen as a sharp peak, but the higher mass resonance manifests itself through an interference with the lower one that leads to a dip in the mass distribution around $1850 \, {\rm MeV}$. Such a feature is similar to the dip observed in the $s$-wave $\pi \pi$ cross section around the $980 \, {\rm MeV}$ coming from the interference of the $f_0(500)$ and $f_0(980)$ resonances. Its observation in coming upgrades of present facilities will shed light on the existence of these two resonances and their nature.

hep-ph

Correlation functions for the $N^*(1535)$ and the inverse problem

The $N^*(1535)$ can be dynamically generated in the chiral unitary approach with the coupled channels, $K^0 \Sigma^+, K^+ \Sigma^0, K^+ \Lambda$ and $\eta p$. In this work we evaluate the correlation functions for every channel and face the inverse problem. Assuming the correlation functions to correspond to real measurements, we conduct a fit to the data within a general framework in order to extract the information contained in these correlation functions. The bootstrap method is used to determine the uncertainties of the different observables, and we find that, assuming errors of the same order than in present measurements of correlation functions, one can determine the scattering length and effective range of all channels with a very good accuracy. Most remarkable is the fact that the method predicts the existence of a bound state of isospin $\frac{1}{2}$ nature around the mass of the $N^*(1535)$ with an accuracy of $6\; \rm MeV$. These results should encourage the actual measurement of these correlation functions (only the $K^+ \Lambda$ one is measured so far), which can shed valuable light on the relationship of the $ N^*(1535)$ state to these coupled channels, a subject of continuous debate.

hep-ph

$Z_{cs}$ states from the $D^{*}_s \bar D^*$ and $J/ψK^*$ coupled channels: Signal in $B^+ \to J/ψϕK^+$ decay

We study the $D^{*}_s \bar D^*$ system in connection with the $J/ψK^*$ in coupled channels and observe that, within reasonable values of the cut-off used to regularize the loops, the system does not develop a bound state. However, the $J^P = 2^+$ channel has enough attraction to create a strong cusp structure that shows up in the $J/ψK^+$ invariant mass distribution in the $B^+ \to J/ψϕK^+$ decay at the $D^*_s \bar D^*$ threshold. Such structure is visible in the experimental $B^+ \to J/ψϕK^+$ and $\bar B^0 \to J/ψK^+ K^-$ decays, with small statistics, and our results should stimulate further measurements around this region, given the fact that cusp effects provide as valuable information on hadron dynamics as resonances themselves.

hep-ph

Triangle singularity mechanism for the $pp \to π^+ d$ fusion reaction

We develop a model for the $pp \to π^+ d$ reaction based on the $pp \to Δ(1232) N$ transition followed by $Δ(1232) \to πN'$ decay and posterior fusion of $N N'$ to give the deuteron. We show that the triangle diagram depicting this process develops a triangle singularity leading to a large cross section of this reaction compared to ordinary fusion reactions. The results of the calculation also show that the process is largely dominated by the $pp$ system in $L=2, S=0$, which transfers $J=2$ to the final $π^+ d$ system. This feature is shown to be well suited to provide $L=2,S=1$, $J^\mathrm{tot}=3$ for $np$ in the $np(I=0) \to π^- pp$ followed by $pp \to π^+ d$ reaction, which has been proposed recently, as a means of describing the so far assumed dibaryon $d^*(2380)$ peak.

nucl-th

$\Lambda(1405)$ mediated triangle singularity in the $K^-d\to p\Sigma^-$ reaction

We study for the first time the $p\Sigma^-\to K^-d$ and $K^-d\to p\Sigma^-$ reactions close to threshold and show that they are driven by a triangle mechanism, with the $\Lambda(1405)$, a proton and a neutron as intermediate states, which develops a triangle singularity close to the $\bar{K}d$ threshold. We find that a mechanism involving virtual pion exchange and the $K^-p\to\pi^+\Sigma^-$ amplitude dominates over another one involving kaon exchange and the $K^-p\to K^-p$ amplitude. Moreover, of the two $\Lambda(1405)$ states, the one with higher mass around $1420$ MeV, gives the largest contribution to the process. We show that the cross section, well within measurable range, is very sensitive to different models that, while reproducing $\bar{K}N$ observables above threshold, provide different extrapolations of the $\bar{K}N$ amplitudes below threshold. The observables of this reaction will provide new constraints on the theoretical models, leading to more reliable extrapolations of the $\bar{K}N$ amplitudes below threshold and to more accurate predictions of the $\Lambda(1405)$ state of lower mass.

nucl-th

The $Z_{cs}(3985)$ as a threshold effect from the $\bar D_s^* D + \bar D_s D^*$ interaction

We study the $e^+ e^- \to K^+ ( D_s^{*-} D^0 + D_s^- D^{*0})$ reaction recently measured at BESIII, from where a new $Z_{cs}$ state has been reported. We study the interaction of $\bar D_s D^*$ with the coupled channels $J/ψK^-$, $K^{*-} η_c$, $D_s^- D^{*0}$, $D_s^{*-} D^0$ by means of an extension to the charm sector of the local hidden gauge approach. We find that the $D_s^- D^{*0}+ D_s^{*-} D^0$ combination couples to $J/ψK^-$ and $K^{*-} η_c$, but the $D_s^- D^{*0}- D_s^{*-} D^0$ combination does not. The coupled channels help to build up strength in the $D_s^- D^{*0}+ D_s^{*-} D^0$ diagonal scattering matrix close to threshold and, although the interaction is not strong enough to produce a bound state or resonance, it is sufficient to produce a large accumulation of strength at the $\bar D_s D^*$ threshold in the $e^+ e^- \to K^+ ( D_s^{*-} D^0 + D_s^- D^{*0})$ reaction in agreement with experiment.

hep-ph

Triangle singularity in $B^-\to K^-X(3872);X\to π^0π^+π^-$ and the X(3872) mass

We evaluate the contribution to the $X(3872)$ width from a triangle mechanism in which the $X$ decays into $D^{*0}\bar{D}^0 -cc$, then the $D^{*0} (\bar{D}^{*0})$ decays into $D^0 π^0$ ($\bar{D}^0 π^0$) and the $D^0 \bar{D}^0$ fuse to produce $π^+ π^-$. This mechanism produces an asymmetric peak from a triangle singularity in the $π^+ π^-$ invariant mass with a shape very sensitive to the $X$ mass. We evaluate the branching ratios for a reaction where this effect can be seen in the $B^- \to K^- π^0 π^+ π^-$ reaction and show that the determination of the peak in the invariant mass distribution of $π^+ π^-$ is all that is needed to determine the $X$ mass. Given the present uncertainties in the $X$ mass, which do not allow to know whether the $D^{*0} \bar{D}^0$ state is bound or not, measurements like the one suggested here should be most welcome to clarify this issue.

hep-ph

Theoretical interpretation of the $D^+_s \to π^+ π^0 η$ decay and the nature of $a_0(980)$

In a recent paper \cite{Ablikim:2019pit}, the BESIII collaboration reported the so-called first observation of pure $W$-annihilation decays $D^+_s \to a^+_0(980) π^0$ and $D_s^+ \to a^0_0(980)π^+$. The measured absolute branching fractions are, however, puzzlingly larger than those of other measured pure $W$-annihilation decays by at least one order of magnitude. In addition, the relative phase between the two decay modes is found to be about 180 degrees. In this letter, we show that all these can be easily understood if the $a_0(980)$ is a dynamically generated state from $\bar{K} K$ and $πη$ interactions in coupled channels. In such a scenario, the $D^+_s$ decay proceeds via internal $W$ emission instead of $W$-annihilation, which has a larger decay rate than $W$-annihilation. The proposed decay mechanism and the molecular nature of the $a_0(980)$ also provide a natural explanation to the measured negative interference between the two decay modes.

hep-ph

Extraction of isoscalar $ππ$ phase-shifts from lattice QCD

We conduct a two-flavor ($N_f=2$) lattice QCD calculation of the elastic phase-shifts for pion-pion scattering in the scalar, isoscalar channel (the $σ$-meson). The calculation is performed for two quark masses corresponding to a pion mass of $315\text{ MeV}$ and $227\text{ MeV}$. The $σ$-meson parameters are extracted using various parametrizations of the scattering amplitude. The results obtained from a chiral unitary parametrization are extrapolated to the physical point and read $M_σ= (440^{+10}_{-16}(50) - i\,240(20)(25))\text{ MeV}$, where the uncertainties in the parentheses denote the stochastic and systematic ones. The behavior of the $σ$-meson parameters with increasing pion mass is discussed as well.

hep-lat