Scalar meson

In high energy physics, a scalar meson is a meson with total spin 0 and even parity (usually noted as JP=0+). Compare to pseudoscalar meson. The first known scalar mesons have been observed since the late 1950s, with observations of numerous light states and heavier states proliferating since the 1980s. Scalar mesons are most often observed in proton-antiproton annihilation, radiative decays of vector mesons, and meson-meson scattering.

Groups

The light (unflavored) scalar mesons may be divided into three groups:

  • mesons having a mass below 1 GeV/c²
  • mesons having a mass between 1 GeV/c² and 2 GeV/c²
  • other radially-excited unflavored scalar mesons above 2 GeV/c²

Lower mass range

Since the late 1950s, the lightest scalar mesons were often interpreted within the framework of the linear sigma model, and many theorists still choose this interpretation of the scalar mesons as the chiral partners of the pseudoscalar meson multiplet.[1]

With the re-introduction of the σ meson as an acceptable candidate for a light scalar meson in 1996 by Tornqvist and Roos,[2] in-depth studies into the lightest scalar mesons were conducted with renewed interest. The "Particle Data Group" provides current information on the experimental status of various particles, including the scalar mesons.

Ever since Jaffe first suggested the existence of tetraquark multiplets in 1977,[3] the lightest scalar mesons have been interpreted by some theorists to be possible tetraquark or meson-meson "molecule" states. The tetraquark interpretation works well with the MIT Bag Model of QCD,[4] where the scalar tetraquarks are actually predicted to have lower mass than the conventional scalar mesons. This picture of the scalar mesons seems to fit experimental results well in certain ways, but often receives harsh criticism for ignoring unsolved problems with chiral symmetry breaking and the possibility of a non-trivial vacuum state as suggested by Gribov.[5]

Many attempts have been made to determine the quark content of the lighter scalar mesons; however, no consensus has yet been reached.

Intermediate range

In-depth studies of the unflavored scalar mesons began with the Crystal Ball and Crystal Barrel experiments of the mid 1990s, focusing on the mass range between 1 GeV/c² and 2 GeV/c².

The scalar mesons in the mass range of 1 GeV/c² to 2 GeV/c² are generally believed to be conventional quark-antiquark states with orbital excitation L = 1 and spin excitation S = 1,[6] although they occur at a higher mass than one would expect in the framework of mass-splittings from spin-orbit coupling.[7] The scalar glueball [8] is also expected to fall in this mass region, appearing in similar fashion to the conventional mesons but having very distinctive decay characteristics. The scalar mesons in the mass range below 1 GeV/c² are much more controversial, and may be interpreted in a number of different ways.

Upper mass range

The heavier scalar mesons contain charm and/or bottom quarks. All occur well over 2 GeV/c² and have well-separated masses which make them distinct and simplifies their analyses.

List

Confirmed
  • K0*(1430)

Candidates
  • K0*(800) or κ
  • f0(500) or σ
  • f0(980)
  • a0(980)
  • f0(1370)
  • f0(1500)
  • f0(1710)
  • a0(1450)

Unconfirmed resonances
  • X(1110)
  • f0(1200-1600)
  • f01790
  • X(1810)
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gollark: Apiothaumohazard?
gollark: Apiopistohazards, which can pray to the apiotheohazards in the sky for magical powers.
gollark: Apiopatrohazards, which are your father.

References
  1. Ishida, M.Y. (1998). "Existence of σ(600)-particle and new chiral scalar nonet". Nuclear Physics A. Elsevier BV. 629 (1–2): 148–151. arXiv:hep-ph/9712231. doi:10.1016/s0375-9474(97)00678-7. ISSN 0375-9474.
  2. Törnqvist, Nils A.; Roos, Matts (1996-03-04). "Confirmation of the Sigma Meson". Physical Review Letters. 76 (10): 1575–1578. arXiv:hep-ph/9511210. doi:10.1103/physrevlett.76.1575. ISSN 0031-9007. PMID 10060464.
  3. Jaffe, R. J. (1977-01-01). "Multiquark hadrons. I. Phenomenology ofQ2Q¯2mesons". Physical Review D. American Physical Society (APS). 15 (1): 267–280. doi:10.1103/physrevd.15.267. ISSN 0556-2821.
  4. K. Gottfried and V. Weisskopf, "Concepts of Particle Physics", Oxford University Press: New York (1986), Vol. II pgs. 409-419
  5. Gribov, Vladimir (1999). "The theory of quark confinement". The European Physical Journal C. 10 (1): 91–105. arXiv:hep-ph/9902279. doi:10.1007/s100529900052. ISSN 1434-6044.
  6. Yao, W-M Yao; et al. (Particle Data Group) (2006-07-01). "Review of Particle Physics". Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics. IOP Publishing. 33 (1): 1–1232. doi:10.1088/0954-3899/33/1/001. ISSN 0954-3899.
  7. F. E. Close, "An Introduction to Quarks and Partons", Academic Press: New York (1979), pgs. 88-89
  8. Bali, G.S.; Schilling, K.; Hulsebos, A.; Irving, A.C.; Michael, C.; Stephenson, P.W.; et al. (UKQCD) (1993). "A comprehensive lattice study of SU(3) glueballs" (PDF). Physics Letters B. Elsevier BV. 309 (3–4): 378–384. doi:10.1016/0370-2693(93)90948-h. ISSN 0370-2693.
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