Hadronic Final State Interactions Research Articles

Dispersive ππ→KK[over ¯] Amplitude and Giant CP Violation in B to Three Light-Meson Decays at LHCb.

The LHCb collaboration has recently reported the largest CP violation effect from a single amplitude, as well as other giant CP asymmetries in several B-meson decays into three charmless light mesons. It is also claimed that this is predominantly due to ππ→KK[over ¯] rescattering in the final state, particularly in the 1 to 1.5GeV region. In these analyses the ππ→KK[over ¯] amplitude is by default estimated from the ππ elastic scattering amplitude and does not describe the existing ππ→KK[over ¯] scattering data. Here we show how the recent model-independent dispersive analysis of ππ→KK[over ¯] data can be easily implemented in the LHCb formalism. This leads to a more accurate description of the asymmetry, while being consistent with the measured scattering amplitude and confirming the prominent role of hadronic final state interactions, paving the way for more elaborated analyses.

Hadronic Final-state Interactions to Explain Charm CP Asymmetries

Hadronic Final-state Interactions to Explain Charm CP Asymmetries

Comparison of validation methods of simulations for final state interactions in hadron production experiments

Neutrino cross section and oscillation measurements depend critically on modeling of hadronic final state interactions (FSI). Often, this is one of the largest components of uncertainty in a measurement. This is because of the difficulty in modeling strong interactions in nuclei in a consistent quantum-mechanical framework. FSI models are most often validated using hadron-nucleus data which introduces further uncertainties. The alternative is to use transparency data where the hadron starts propagating from inside the nucleus and the probability of interaction is measured as a function of hadron energy. This work examines the relationship between the $\pi^+$ and proton total reaction cross section and transparency from a simulation viewpoint.

Investigating high energy proton proton collisions with a multi-phase transport model approach based on PYTHIA8 initial conditions

The striking resemblance of high multiplicity proton-proton (pp) collisions at the LHC to heavy ion collisions challenges our conventional wisdom on the formation of the quark-gluon plasma (QGP). A consistent explanation of the collectivity phenomena in pp will help us to understand the mechanism that leads to the QGP-like signals in small systems. In this study, we introduce a transport model approach connecting the initial conditions provided by PYTHIA8 with subsequent AMPT rescatterings to study the collective behavior in high energy pp collisions. The multiplicity dependence of light hadron productions from this model is in reasonable agreement with the pp sqrt{s}=13 TeV experimental data. It is found in the comparisons that both the partonic and hadronic final state interactions are important for the generation of the radial flow feature of the pp transverse momentum spectra. The study also shows that the long range two particle azimuthal correlation in high multiplicity pp events is sensitive to the proton sub-nucleon spatial fluctuations.

Experimental Tests and Interpretations of the X(2900)

We examine whether the LHCb vector udc¯s¯ state X(2900) can be interpreted as a kinematical cusp effect arising from D¯⁎K⁎ and D¯1K interactions. The production amplitude is modelled as a triangle diagram with hadronic final state interactions. A satisfactory fit to the Dalitz plot projection is obtained that leverages the singularities of the triangle diagram without the need for D¯K resonances. A somewhat better fit is obtained if the final state interactions are strong enough to generate resonances, although the evidence in favour of this scenario is not conclusive. We also make predictions for the production and decays of X(2900) states, and their possible charged partners, in B+ and B0 decays, considering a number of competing models for the states, including triangle diagrams mediated by quark exchange or pion exchange, and resonance scenarios including molecules and tetraquarks. Assuming only isospin symmetry and the dominance of colour-favoured weak decays, we find characteristic differences in the predictions of the different models. Future experimental studies can therefore discriminate among the competing interpretations for the states.

Kinematical cusp and resonance interpretations of the X(2900)

We examine whether the LHCb vector udc¯s¯ state X(2900) can be interpreted as a kinematical cusp effect arising from D¯⁎K⁎ and D¯1K(⁎) interactions. The production amplitude is modelled as a triangle diagram with hadronic final state interactions. A satisfactory fit to the Dalitz plot projection is obtained that leverages the singularities of the production diagram without the need for D¯K resonances. A somewhat better fit is obtained if the final state interactions are strong enough to generate resonances, although the evidence in favour of this scenario is not conclusive.

Study of neutrons associated with neutrino and anti-neutrino interactions on water at T2K

The study of neutron production associated with v interactions on water in an energy region from sub-GeV up to a few GeV is a key ingredient to improve the physics program of neutrino experiments based on water Cherenkov detectors. To this aim, a precise prediction of such neutron production by Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is essential. However, current predictions have large uncertainties related to the modeling of v interactions in the nuclear medium, hadronic final-state interactions (FSI) in nuclei, and secondary interactions (SI) in the detector medium. Therefore, it is worth evaluating the validity of the simulations with v beam. In this work, the status of a measurement of v and interactions on water in Tokai-to-Kamioka (T2K) experiment is described.

Extraction of $|V_{cb}|$ from two-body hadronic B decays

We propose a method of extracting the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element $|V_{cb}|$ from two-body hadronic decay processes of $B\to DK$ with precisely determined form factors of $B$ meson semi-leptonic decays. The amplitude $\mathcal{M}(\bar{B}^0 \to D^+ K^-)$ which does not include the effect of hadronic final state interactions can be theoretically evaluated by using factorization and form factors of semi-leptonic B decays. We can obtain all the amplitudes in an isospin relation $\mathcal{A}(B^-\to D^0K^-) =\mathcal{A}(\bar{B}^0\to D^+K^{-})+\mathcal{A}(\bar{B}^0\to D^{0}\bar{K}^0)$ including the effect of hadronic final state interactions as well as $|V_{cb}|$ using the experimental data of branching fractions of these three processes with a truncation of the states which contribute to the hadronic final state interactions. The extracted value of $|V_{cb}|$ is $(37\pm 6)\times 10^{-3}$. The decay processes of $B\to DK^{*}$ and $B\to D^{*}K$ can also be used in the same way and the extracted values of $|V_{cb}|$ are $(41\pm 7)\times 10^{-3}$ and $(42\pm 9)\times 10^{-3}$, respectively. This method becomes possible by virtue of recent precise determinations of the form factors of semi-leptonic B decays. The uncertainties of $|V_{cb}|$ by this method are expected to be reduced by the results of future B-factory experiments and lattice calculations.

Parametrizations of three-body hadronic B- and D-decay amplitudes

A short review of our recent work on amplitude parametrizations of three-body hadronic weak B and D decays is presented. The final states are here composed of three light mesons, namely the various charge πππ, Kππ and KK$ \bar K $ states. These parametrizations are derived from previous calculations based on a quasi-two-body factorization approach where the two-body hadronic final state interactions are fully taken into account in terms of unitary S- and P-wave ππ, πK and K$ \bar K $ form factors. They are an alternative to the isobar-model description and can be useful in the interpretation of CP asymmetries.

Three-fluid Hydrodynamics-based Event Simulator Extended by UrQMD final State interactions (THESEUS) for FAIR-NICA-SPSBES/RHIC energies

We present a new event generator based on the three-fluid hydrodynamics (3FH) approach, followed by a particlization at the hydrodynamic decoupling surface and a subsequent UrQMD afterburner stage based on the microscopic UrQMD transport model that accounts for hadronic final state interactions. First results for Au+Au collisions are presented. The following topics are addressed: the directed flow, transversemass spectra, as well as rapidity distributions of protons, pions and kaons for two model equations of state, one with a first-order phase transition, the other with a crossover transition. Preliminary results on the femtoscopy are also discussed.We analyze the accuracy of reproduction of the 3FH results by the new event generator and the effect of the subsequent UrQMD afterburner stage.

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We examine whether the LHCb vector udc¯s¯ state X(2900) can be interpreted as a kinematical cusp effect arising from D¯⁎K⁎ and D¯1K interactions. The production amplitude is modelled as a triangle diagram with hadronic final state interactions. A satisfactory fit to the Dalitz plot projection is obtained that leverages the singularities of the triangle diagram without the need for D¯K resonances. A somewhat better fit is obtained if the final state interactions are strong enough to generate resonances, although the evidence in favour of this scenario is not conclusive. We also make predictions for the production and decays of X(2900) states, and their possible charged partners, in B+ and B0 decays, considering a number of competing models for the states, including triangle diagrams mediated by quark exchange or pion exchange, and resonance scenarios including molecules and tetraquarks. Assuming only isospin symmetry and the dominance of colour-favoured weak decays, we find characteristic differences in the predictions of the different models. Future experimental studies can therefore discriminate among the competing interpretations for the states.

Parametrizations of three-body hadronic B - and D -decay amplitudes in terms of analytic and unitary meson-meson form factors

We introduce parametrizations of hadronic three-body $B$ and $D$ weak decay amplitudes that can be readily implemented in experimental analyses and are a sound alternative to the simplistic and widely used sum of Breit-Wigner type amplitudes, also known as the isobar model. These parametrizations can be particularly useful in the interpretation of CP asymmetries in the Dalitz plots. They are derived from previous calculations based on a quasi-two-body factorization approach in which two-body hadronic final state interactions are fully taken into account in terms of unitary $S$- and $P$-wave $\pi\pi$, $\pi K$ and $K \bar K$ form factors. These form factors can be determined rigorously, fulfilling fundamental properties of quantum field-theory amplitudes such as analyticity and unitarity, and are in agreement with the low-energy behaviour predicted by effective theories of QCD. They are derived from sets of coupled-channel equations using $T$-matrix elements constrained by experimental meson-meson phase shifts and inelasticities, chiral symmetry and asymptotic QCD. We provide explicit amplitude expressions for the decays $B^\pm \to \pi^+ \pi^- \pi^\pm$, $B \to K \ \pi^+ \pi^-$, $B^\pm \to K^+ K^-K^\pm$, $D^+ \to \pi^- \pi^+ \pi^+ $, $D^+ \to K^- \pi^+ \ \pi^+ $, $D^0 \to K^0_S \ \pi^+\ \pi^- $, for which we have shown in previous studies that this approach is phenomenologically successful, in addition, we provide expressions for the $D^0 \to K^0_S \ K^+ K^-$ decay. Other three-body hadronic channels can be parametrized likewise.

Recent selected theory developments for NICA

In this contribution I present a few selected topics of recent theoretical developments of relevance for the NICA facility under construction. In a first part, I discuss new aspects of the QCD phase diagram like the possible existence of a critical endpoint of first-order phase transitions from the perspective of generalizations of the 3-flavor PNJL model including the conjecture of a universal pressure for the onset of deconfinement in heavy-ion collisions and astrophysics. A second part is devoted to first results of the newly constructed event simulator (THESEUS) which is based on the particlization of the former three-fluid hydrodynamics code by Ivanov, Russkikh and Toneev that allows also to study the role of hadronic final state interactions. Possible signals of the mixed phase accessible at NICA are considered. In particular, the robustness of the baryon-stopping signal of deconfinement and the occurrence of antiflow for protons have been investigated for Au+Au collisions in the range of the NICA-MPD energy scan for $\sqrt{s} \sim 6 \dots 8$ GeV. This signal is reflected also in the flow pattern of light nuclear clusters, in particular deuterons. The sharp peak for the $K^+/\pi^+$ ratio at $\sqrt{s} \sim 8$ GeV (the "horn" effect) is not obtained in the present version of THESEUS and calls for improvement of the equation of state input. I report the recent progress in developing a generalized Beth-Uhlenbeck approach to a unified description of quark-hadron matter which includes now strangeness and reveals a new mechanism for explaining the $K^+/\pi^+$ ratio due to the pronounced occurrence of an anomalous mode in the $K^+$ at finite baryochemical potentials.

Event simulation based on three-fluid hydrodynamics for collisions at energies available at the Dubna Nuclotron-based Ion Collider Facility and at the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research in Darmstadt

We present a new event generator based on the three-fluid hydrodynamics approach for the early stage of the collision, followed by a particlization at the hydrodynamic decoupling surface to join to a microscopic transport model, UrQMD, to account for hadronic final state interactions. We present first results for nuclear collisions of the FAIR/NICA energy scan program (Au+Au collisions, $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=4-11$ GeV). We address the directed flow of protons and pions as well as the proton rapidity distribution for two model EoS, one with a first order phase transition the other with a crossover type softening at high densities. The new simulation program has the unique feature that it can describe a hadron-to-quark matter transition which proceeds in the baryon stopping regime that is not accessible to previous simulation programs designed for higher energies.

D+→K−π+π+: The weak vector current

Studies of D and B meson decays into hadrons have been used to test the standard model in the last 15 years. A heavy meson decay involves the combined effects of a primary weak vertex and subsequent hadronic final-state interactions, which determine the shapes of Dalitz plots. The fact that final products involve light mesons indicates that the QCD vacuum is an active part of the problem. This makes the description of these processes rather involved and, in spite of its importance, phenomenological analyses tend to rely on crude models. Our group produced, some time ago, a schematic calculation of the decay ${D}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$, which provided a reasonable description of data. Its main assumption was the dominance of the weak vector current, which yields a nonfactorizable interaction. Here we refine that calculation by including the correct momentum dependence of the weak vertex and extending the energy ranges of $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $K\ensuremath{\pi}$ subamplitudes present into the problem. These new features make the present treatment more realistic and bring theory closer to data.

Three-body final state interaction inη→3π

We present an unitary dispersive model for the $\eta \to 3 \pi$ decay process based upon the Khuri-Treiman equations which are solved by means of the Pasquier inversion method. The description of the hadronic final-state interactions for the $\eta \to 3\pi$ decay is essential to reproduce the available data and to understand the existing discrepancies between Dalitz plot parameters from experiment and chiral perturbation theory. Our approach incorporates substraction constants that are fixed by fitting the recent high-statistics WASA-at-COSY data for $\eta \to \pi^+ \pi^- \pi^0$. Based on the parameters obtained we predict the slope parameter for the neutral channel to be $\alpha=-0.022\pm 0.004$. Through matching to next-to-leading order chiral perturbation theory we estimate the quark mass double ratio to be $Q=21.4 \pm 0.4$.

On the role of final-state interactions in Dalitz plot studies

The study of Dalitz plots of heavy-meson decays to multi-hadron final states has received intensified interest by the possibility to gain access to precision investigations of CP violation. A thorough understanding of the hadronic final-state interactions is a prerequisite to achieve a highly sensitive, model-independent study of such Dalitz plots. We illustrate some of the theoretical tools, predominantly taken from dispersion theory, available for these and related purposes, and discuss the low-energy decays omega, phi --> 3pi in some more detail.

Kπform factors and final state interactions inD+→K−π+π+decays

We present a model for the decay ${D}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$. The weak interaction part of this reaction is described using the effective weak Hamiltonian in the factorization approach. Hadronic final state interactions are taken into account through the $K\ensuremath{\pi}$ scalar and vector form factors fulfilling analyticity, unitarity, and chiral symmetry constraints. The model has only two free parameters that are fixed from experimental branching ratios. We show that the modulus and phase of the $S$ wave thus obtained agree nicely with experiments up to 1.55 GeV. We perform Monte Carlo simulations to compare the predicted Dalitz plot with experimental analyses. Allowing for a global phase difference between the $S$ and $P$ waves of $\ensuremath{-}65\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$, the Dalitz plot of the ${D}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ decay, the $K\ensuremath{\pi}$ invariant mass spectra and the total branching ratio due to $S$-wave interactions are well reproduced.

Elliptic flow and incomplete equilibration

The dependence of eccentricity scaled elliptic flow on the partonic cross section in $\mathrm{Au}+\mathrm{Au}$ collisions at relativistic heavy ion collider (RHIC) energy $\sqrt{{s}_{\mathit{NN}}}=200 \mathrm{GeV}$ with impact parameter $b=8 \mathrm{fm}$ is analyzed using a multiphase transport (AMPT) model. It is shown that the dependence of eccentricity scaled elliptic flow on the partonic cross section could be described well by a formula suggested by Bhalerao et al. The eccentricity scaled elliptic flow of the parton is $19%~27%$ lower than its `hydrodynamic limit.' The hadronization of the parton through coalescence and hadronic dynamics (decay, collision) could influence the obtained deviation of eccentricity scaled elliptic flow of the hadron from its `hydrodynamic limit.' The hadronic final state interactions and hadronization reduce the extracted `hydrodynamic limit' by 20% and also reduce the deviation from the `hydrodynamic limit' by 26%.

Neutrino-induced pion production at energies relevant for the MiniBooNE and K2K experiments

We investigate charged and neutral current neutrino induced incoherent pion production off nuclei at MiniBooNE and K2K energies within the GiBUU model. We assume impulse approximation and treat the nucleus as a local Fermi gas of nucleons bound in a mean-field potential. In-medium spectral functions are also taken into account. The outcome of the initial neutrino nucleon reaction undergoes complex hadronic final state interactions. We present results for neutral current ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ and charged current ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ production and compare to MiniBooNE and K2K data.