Survival before annihilation in [formula omitted] decays

Abstract

We extend the simple scenario for Ψ′ decays suggested a few years ago. The cc¯ pair in the Ψ′ does not annihilate directly into three gluons but rather survives before annihilating. An interesting prediction is that a large fraction of all Ψ′ decays could originate from the Ψ′→ηc(3π) channel which we urge experimentalists to identify. Our model solves the problem of the apparent hadronic excess in Ψ′ decays as well as the ρπ puzzle since, in our view, the two-body decays of the Ψ′ are naturally of electromagnetic origin. Further tests of this picture are proposed, e.g., J/Ψ→b1η.