Observation of a near-threshold enhancement in the e+e- -->Lambda+_(c)Lambda-_(c) cross section using initial-state radiation

Measurement of Energy-Dependent Pair-Production Cross Section and Electromagnetic Form Factors of a Charmed Baryon

We study the process e^{+}e^{-}→Λ_{c}^{+}Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-} at twelve center-of-mass energies from 4.6119 to 4.9509 GeV using data samples collected by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The Born cross sections and effective form factors (|G_{eff}|) are determined with unprecedented precision after combining the single and double-tag methods based on the decay process Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+}. Flat cross sections around 4.63 GeV are obtained and no indication of the resonant structure Y(4630), as reported by Belle, is found. In addition, no oscillatory behavior is discerned in the |G_{eff}| energy dependence of Λ_{c}^{+}, in contrast to what is seen for the proton and neutron cases. Analyzing the cross section together with the polar-angle distribution of the Λ_{c}^{+} baryon at each energy point, the moduli of electric and magnetic form factors (|G_{E}| and |G_{M}|) are extracted and separated. For the first time, the energy dependence of the form factor ratio |G_{E}/G_{M}| is observed, which can be well described by an oscillatory function.

Observation of Resonance Structures in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}ψ_{2}(3823) and Mass Measurement of ψ_{2}(3823)

Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 11.3  fb^{-1} collected at center-of-mass energies from 4.23 to 4.70 GeV with the BESIII detector, we measure the product of the e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}ψ_{2}(3823) cross section and the branching fraction B[ψ_{2}(3823)→γχ_{c1}]. For the first time, resonance structure is observed in the cross section line shape of e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}ψ_{2}(3823) with significances exceeding 5σ. A fit to data with two coherent Breit-Wigner resonances modeling the sqrt[s]-dependent cross section yields M(R_{1})=4406.9±17.2±4.5  MeV/c^{2}, Γ(R_{1})=128.1±37.2±2.3  MeV, and M(R_{2})=4647.9±8.6±0.8  MeV/c^{2}, Γ(R_{2})=33.1±18.6±4.1  MeV. Though weakly disfavored by the data, a single resonance with M(R)=4417.5±26.2±3.5  MeV/c^{2}, Γ(R)=245±48±13  MeV is also possible to interpret data. This observation deepens our understanding of the nature of the vector charmoniumlike states. The mass of the ψ_{2}(3823) state is measured as (3823.12±0.43±0.13)  MeV/c^{2}, which is the most precise measurement to date.

The CGEM-IT: An Upgrade for the BESIII Experiment

The BESIII experiment has been collecting data since 2009 at the e+e− collider BEPCII in Beijing, a charm-τ factory characterized by high statistics and high precision. The discovery of exotic charmonium-like states and the still open questions in low-energy QCD led to an extension of the experimental program, with several upgrades. This review focuses on the CGEM-IT, the innovative solution proposed to replace the current inner tracker, which is aging. It consists of three, co-axial, cylindrical triple-GEM detectors and will be the first cylindrical GEM operating inside a 1 T magnetic field with analogue readout. For this purpose, a dedicated mixed-signal ASIC for the readout of CGEM-IT signals and FPGA-based electronics for data processing have been developed. The simultaneous measurement of both ionization charge and time distribution enables three reconstruction algorithms, to cope with the asymmetry of the electron avalanche in the magnetic field and with non-orthogonal incident tracks. The CGEM-IT will not only restore the design efficiency but also improve the secondary vertex reconstruction and the radiation tolerance. The gas mixture and gain settings were chosen to optimize the position resolution to ∼130 µm in the transverse plane and better than 350 µm along the beam direction. This paper addresses the innovative aspects in terms of construction, readout, and software, employed to achieve the design goals as well as the experimental measurements performed during the development and commissioning of the CGEM-IT.

Time-like Proton Form Factors with Initial State Radiation Technique

Electromagnetic form factors are fundamental quantities describing the internal structure of hadrons. They can be measured with scattering processes in the space-like region and annihilation processes in the time-like region. The two regions are connected by crossing symmetry. The measurements of the proton electromagnetic form factors in the time-like region using the initial state radiation technique are reviewed. Recent experimental studies have shown that initial state radiation processes at high luminosity electron-positron colliders can be effectively used to probe the electromagnetic structure of hadrons. The BABAR experiment at the B-factory PEP-II in Stanford and the BESIII experiment at BEPCII (an electron positron collider in the τ-charm mass region) in Beijing have measured the time-like form factors of the proton using the initial state radiation process e+e−→pp¯γ. The two kinematical regions where the photon is emitted from the initial state at small and large polar angles have been investigated. In the first case, the photon is in the region not covered by the detector acceptance and is not detected. The Born cross section and the proton effective form factor have been measured over a wide and continuous range of the the momentum transfer squared q2 from the threshold up to 42 (GeV/c)2. The ratio of electric and magnetic form factors of the proton has been also determined. In this report, the theoretical aspect and the experimental studies of the initial state radiation process e+e−→pp¯γ are described. The measurements of the Born cross section and the proton form factors obtained in these analyses near the threshold region and in the relatively large q2 region are examined. The experimental results are compared to the predictions from theory and models. Their impact on our understanding of the nucleon structure is discussed.

Electromagnetic Form Factor of Doubly-Strange Hyperon

The standard model of particle physics is a well-tested theoretical framework, but there are still some issues that deserve experimental and theoretical investigation. The Ξ resonances with strangeness S=−2, the so-called doubly-strange hyperon, can provide important information to further test the standard model by studying their electromagnetic form factors, such as probing the limitation of the quark models and spotting unrevealed aspects of the QCD description of the structure of hadron resonances. In this work, we review some recent studies of the electromagnetic form factors on doubly-strange hyperons in pair production from positron–electron annihilation experiment.

Production Mechanism of the Charmed Baryon Λc+

As the lightest charmed baryon, precision measurement of the pair production cross section of Λc+ provides unprecedented experimental information for the investigation of baryon production mechanism. In addition, the extraction of the polar angle distributions of the outgoing Λc+ in the annihilation of the electron–positron help to determine its electromagnetic form factors, which is currently the unique key to access the internal structure of the baryons. In this article, the measurement of e+e−→Λc+Λ¯c− process via the initial state radiation technique at Belle detector and direct electron–positron annihilation at BESIII with discrete center-of-mass energies near threshold are briefly reviewed. In addition, the electromagnetic form factor ratios of Λc+ measured by BESIII are also investigated. A few theoretical models that parameterize the center-of-mass energy dependence of the cross section and electromagnetic form factors of baryon are introduced and the contributions of Λc+ data to them are discussed.

A Fit to the Available e+e− → Λc+Λ¯c− Cross Section Data Nearby Production Threshold by Means of a Strong Correction to the Coulomb Enhancement Factor

There are two available sets of data on the e+e−→Λc+Λ¯c− cross section at energies close to the production threshold, collected by the Belle and by the BESIII Collaborations. The measurement of the former, performed by means of the initial state radiation technique, is compatible with the presence of a resonance, called ψ(4660), observed also in other final states. On the contrary, the latter is measured an almost flat and hence non-resonant cross section in the energy region just above the production threshold, but the data stop before the possible rise in the cross section for the resonant production. We propose an effective model to describe the behavior of the data near this threshold, which is based on a Coulomb-like enhancement factor due to the strong interaction among the final state particles. In the framework of this model, it is possible to describe both datasets.

Probing the internal structure of baryons

Electromagnetic form factors are fundamental observables that describe the electric and magnetic structure of hadrons and provide keys to understand the strong interaction. At the Beijing Spectrometer (BESIII), form factors have been measured for different baryons in the time-like region for the first time or with the best precision. The results are presented with examples focused on but not limited to the proton/neutron, the Λ, with a strange quark, and the Λ c , with a charm quark.

Heavy Tetraquarks in the Relativistic Quark Model

We give a review of the calculations of the masses of tetraquarks with two and four heavy quarks in the framework of the relativistic quark model based on the quasipotential approach and QCD. The diquark-antidiquark picture of heavy tetraquarks is used. The quasipotentials of the quark-quark and diquark-antidiquark interactions are constructed similarly to the previous consideration of mesons and baryons. Diquarks are considered in the colour triplet state. It is assumed that the diquark and antidiquark interact in the tetraquark as a whole and the internal structure of the diquarks is taken into account by the calculated form factor of the diquark-gluon interaction. All parameters of the model are kept fixed from our previous calculations of meson and baryon properties. A detailed comparison of the obtained predictions for heavy tetraquark masses with available experimental data is given. Many candidates for tetraquarks are found. It is argued that the structures in the di-J/ψ mass spectrum observed recently by the LHCb collaboration can be interpreted as ccc¯c¯ tetraquarks.

Hyperon Physics with PANDA at FAIR

Hyperons provide new angles on two of the most challenging problems in contemporary physics: a coherent and quantitative description of the strong interaction, and the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the Universe. The production dynamics and the electromagnetic structure of strange hyperons, as well as hyperon spectroscopy, give insights into the strong interaction in the confinement domain. Furthermore, two-body decays of strange hyperons provide clean tests of CP symmetry, an essential piece to the matter-antimatter puzzle. The future experiment PANDA at FAIR offers unique possibilities to study different aspects of hyperons using antiproton beams. In particular, the hitherto almost unexplored multi-strange sector will be addressed. The expected large production cross sections of hyperons and the versatile, near 4πdetector design makes PANDA a veritable hyperon factory already from the first phase of operation. In these proceedings, the opportunities for hyperon physics with PANDA will be outlined. I will also address how we can benefit from the weak hyperon decays, that provide straight-forward access to the full spin density matrix.

Measurement of the Cross Section for e^{+}e^{-}→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} and Observation of an Excited Ξ Baryon

Using a total of 11.0  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data with center-of-mass energies between 4.009 and 4.6 GeV and collected with the BESIII detector at BEPCII, we measure fifteen exclusive cross sections and effective form factors for the process e^{+}e^{-}→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} by means of a single baryon-tag method. After performing a fit to the dressed cross section of e^{+}e^{-}→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+}, no significant ψ(4230) or ψ(4260) resonance is observed in the Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} final states, and upper limits at the 90% confidence level on Γ_{ee}B for the processes ψ(4230)/ψ(4260)→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} are determined. In addition, an excited Ξ baryon at 1820  MeV/c^{2} is observed with a statistical significance of 6.2-6.5σ by including the systematic uncertainty, and the mass and width are measured to be M=(1825.5±4.7±4.7)  MeV/c^{2} and Γ=(17.0±15.0±7.9)  MeV, which confirms the existence of the J^{P}=3/2^{-} state Ξ(1820).

Exotics at BESIII

With a collected integrated luminosity of about 12 fb−1, useful data set for XYZ new resonances, BESIII continues the exploration of these exotic charmonium-like states. In this proceeding, recent results on the measurements of the line-shape of e+e− → π+π−ψ(3868) and π+D0D*−, as well as the JP determination of ZC (3900) will be presented. An abundance of Y will be reported in several decay channels. Finally the present BESIII data above the ${e^ + }{e^ - }\, \to \,{\Lambda _C}{\bar \Lambda _C}$ threshold will be shortly discussed because they are barely in agreement with the current Belle data on the candidate charmed baryonium state Y(4660). A BEPCII upgrade, that will allow to settle this open question, has been funded.

Exclusive open-charm near-threshold cross sections in a coupled-channel approach

Data on 7 open-charm channels collected by the Belle Collaboration are analyzed simultaneously using a unitary approach based on a coupled channel model in a wide energy range $ \sqrt s $ = 3.7 − 4.7 GeV. The resulting fit provides a remarkably good overall description of the line shapes in all studied channels. Parameters of 5 vector charmonium resonances are extracted from the fit. It is demonstrated, that this approach could be used account for all exclusive channels and thus solve the long-term problem of the charmonium spectra near threshold.

XYZ states at BESIII

In this proceeding, I report the most recent experimental results from BESIII about the XYZ sates. Two new X(3872) decay modes are observed, which is X(3872) → ωJ/ψ and X(3872) → π0χc1(1P). Precise measurement of cross sections of various channels reveal more fine structure about Y states. To study the property of Zc states, the Jp of Zc(3900) is determined with partial wave analysis, and a hint of new decay mode of Zc±(3900) → ρ±ηc are observed.

Open charm studies at Belle

We present the new results of measurements of the exlusive cross sections of the e+ e− annihilation to charmed meson pairs as a function of √ ceneter-of-mass energy from the open charm threashold up to $ \sqrt s = {\rm{6 GeV}} $ using initial state radiation technique. The analysis is based on a data sample collected by the Belle detector with an integrated luminosity of 951 fb−1. The accuracy of the cross section measurement is increased by a factor of 2 in comparison with the first Belle study. We have performed the first angular analysis + −→ D*± D*∓ of the $ {e^{\rm{ + }}}{e^ - } \to {D^{* \pm }}{D^{* \mp }} $ process and decomposed this exclusive cross section into three components corresponding to the different D* helicities.

Hadronic Cross Section Measurements at Belle and perspectives for BELLE-II

Large data amount, about 1 ab−1 of integrated luminosity, collected in experiments with the Belle detector provided a good possibilities for precise measurements of the hadronic cross sections in e+e− annihilation. Main results obtained in this field with the Belle detector as well as perspectives of the new experiments with the Belle II detector at the SuperKEKB collider is discussed in this report.

Angular analysis of the e+e- → D(*)D* process near the open-charm threshold using initial-state radiation

We report new measurement of the exclusive e+e- → D(*)±D*∓ cross sections as a function of center-of-mass energy from the D(∗)±D∗∓ threshold up to $ \sqrt s $ = 6.0 GeV with initial state radiation. The analysis is based on a data sample collected by the Belle detector with an integrated luminosity of 951 fb−1. The accuracy of the cross section measurement is increased by a factor of 2 in comparison with the first Belle study. We have performed the first angular analysis of the e+e- → D∗±D∗∓ process and decomposed this exclusive cross section into three components corresponding to the different D∗ helicities.

Exotic hadrons from BESIII

We report the progress in the study of the exotic hadrons, also called XYZ states, at BESIII experiment with its unique data samples in e+ e− annihilation at center-of-mass energies of 3.8–4.6 GeV. The talk covers the observation of the Zc(3900) and Zc(4020) and new measurements related to them; updated measurement of the resonant parameters of the Y(4260) in e+ e−→ π+π− J/ψ and discovery of its new decay modes π+π−ψ(2S), ωχc0, π+π−hc, and D0D∗−π++c.c.; and observation of X(3872) in e+e− annihilation.

BESIII results on time-like baryon form factors

This contribution reports on the recent measurements of baryon electromagnetic form factors at the BESIII experiment in Beijing. The Beijing e+e − collider BEPCII is a double-ring symmetric collider running at $ \sqrt s $ between 2.0 and 4.6 GeV. Baryon electromagnetic form factors can be measured at BESIII in direct e+e−-annihilation and in initial state radiation processes. Based on the data collected by the BESIII detector at 12 center of mass energies between 2.23 and 3.67 GeV, the measured $ \mathop e\nolimits^ + \mathop e\nolimits^ - \to \mathop p\limits^ - p $ cross section and the time-like proton form factor are presented. Preliminary results from the analysis of the initial state radiation process $ \mathop e\nolimits^ + \mathop e\nolimits^ - \to \mathop p\limits^ - p\gamma $ using a data set of 7.408 fb−1 collected at center of mass energies between 3.773 and 4.6 GeV, are also shown. The cross sections for $ \mathop e\nolimits^ + \mathop e\nolimits^ - \to \mathop {\mathop \Lambda \nolimits_c^ - }\limits^ - \mathop \Lambda \nolimits_c^ + $ and $ \mathop e\nolimits^ + \mathop e\nolimits^ - \to \mathop \Lambda \limits^ - \Lambda $ are measured near threshold with unprecedented precision. Preliminary results on the first measurement of the ^c form factor ratio |GE|/|GM| are also given. Ongoing analysis based on the high luminosity energy scan from 2015 and from radiative return at different $ \sqrt s $ are also described.

Precision Measurement of the e^{+}e^{-}→Λ_{c}^{+}Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-} Cross Section Near Threshold

The cross section of the e^{+}e^{-}→Λ_{c}^{+}Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-} process is measured with unprecedented precision using data collected with the BESIII detector at sqrt[s]=4574.5, 4580.0, 4590.0 and 4599.5 MeV. The nonzero cross section near the Λ_{c}^{+}Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-} production threshold is cleared. At center-of-mass energies sqrt[s]=4574.5 and 4599.5 MeV, the higher statistics data enable us to measure the Λ_{c} polar angle distributions. From these, the Λ_{c} electric over magnetic form-factor ratios (|G_{E}/G_{M}|) are measured for the first time. They are found to be 1.14±0.14±0.07 and 1.23±0.05±0.03, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.

Measurement of hadron form factors at BESIII

The BESIII experiment, operated at the BEPCII e+e- collider in Beijing, has acquired large data sets at center-of-mass energies between 2.0 GeV and 4.6 GeV. One of the key aspects of the physics program of the BESIII collaboration is to test the understanding of QCD at intermediate energies. Applying different experimental techniques, form factors of hadrons are measured. Among these are the pion form factor, as an important input to the (g - 2)μ puzzle, and the electro-magnetic form factors of nucleons and hyperons in the time-like regime. An overview of the recent results and some ongoing studies at BESIII is provided.

Measurement of hadronic form factors at BESIII

The measurements of hadronic form factors of three modes using the data samples collected with the BESIII detector at BEPCII collider are presented. The cross section of e+e- → p p̅ at 12 energies from 2232.4 to 3671.0 MeV are measured, the electromagnetic form factor is deduced, and the ratio |GE/GM| is extracted by fitting the polar angle distribution. The preliminary results about the form factors of e+e- → ∧c+ ⊼c- will also be described. The cross section of e+e- → π+ π-between effective center-of-mass energy 600 and 900 MeV is measured by the ISR return method using the data set with the integrated luminosity of 2.93 fb-1 taken at ψ(3773) peak, the pion form factor is extracted.

Measurement of Singly Cabibbo Suppressed Decays Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{+}π^{-} and Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{+}K^{-}

Using 567  pb^{-1} of data collected with the BESIII detector at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=4.599  GeV, near the Λ_{c}^{+}Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-} threshold, we study the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decays Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{+}π^{-} and Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{+}K^{-}. By normalizing with respect to the Cabibbo-favored decay Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+}, we obtain ratios of branching fractions: [B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{+}π^{-})/B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+})]=(6.70±0.48±0.25)%, [B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pϕ)/B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+})]=(1.81±0.33±0.13)%, and [B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{+}K_{non-ϕ}^{-})/B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+})]=(9.36±2.22±0.71)×10^{-3}, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The absolute branching fractions are also presented. Among these measurements, the decay Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{+}π^{-} is observed for the first time, and the precision of the branching fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{+}K_{non-ϕ}^{-} and Λ_{c}^{+}→pϕ is significantly improved.

Observation of a charged (DD*)± mass peak in e+ e- → πDD* at sqrt[s] = 4.26 GeV

We report on a study of the process e+ e- → π± (DD*)∓ at sqrt[s] = 4.26  GeV using a 525 pb(-1) data sample collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. A distinct charged structure is observed in the (DD*)∓ invariant mass distribution. When fitted to a mass-dependent-width Breit-Wigner line shape, the pole mass and width are determined to be Mpole = (3883.9±1.5(stat)±4.2(syst))  MeV/c2 and Γpole = (24.8±3.3(stat)±11.0(syst))  MeV. The mass and width of the structure, which we refer to as Zc(3885), are 2σ and 1σ, respectively, below those of the Zc(3900) → π± J/ψ peak observed by BESIII and Belle in π+ π- J/ψ final states produced at the same center-of-mass energy. The angular distribution of the πZc(3885) system favors a JP = 1+ quantum number assignment for the structure and disfavors 1- or 0-. The Born cross section times the DD* branching fraction of the Zc(3885) is measured to be σ(e+ e- → π± Zc(3885)∓)×B(Zc(3885)∓ → (DD*)∓) = (83.5±6.6(stat)±22.0(syst))   pb. Assuming the Zc(3885) → DD* signal reported here and the Zc(3900) → πJ/ψ signal are from the same source, the partial width ratio (Γ(Zc(3885) → DD*)/Γ(Zc(3900) → πJ/ψ)) = 6.2±1.1(stat)±2.7(syst) is determined.

Charmed baryonium

We reanalyze the published data on the Y(4630)-->Lambda(c) Lambda(c) and the Y(4660)-->psi(2S)pi pi with a consistent ansatz and we find that the two observations are likely to be due to the same state Y(B), produced via initial state radiation (ISR), with M(Y(B))=4660.7+/-8.7 MeV and Gamma(Y(B))=61+/-23 MeV. Under this hypothesis and reanalyzing the e+e- -->J/psi pi pi gamma(ISR) spectrum we find B(Y(B))-->Lambda(c) Lambda(c))/B(Y(B))-->psi(2S)pi pi)=117+/-44, B(Y(B))-->J/psi pi pi)/B(Y(B))-->psi(2S)pi pi)<0.46@90% C.L., B(Y(4350)-->J/psi pi pi)/B(Y(4350)-->psi(2S)pi pi)<3.4x10(-3)@90% C.L., and B(Y(B))-->psi(2S)sigma)/B(Y(B))-->psi(2S)f0)=2.0+/-0.3. These conclusions strongly support the hypothesis of Y(B) being the first observation of a charmed baryonium constituted by four quarks. Analyzing the mass spectrum we show that Y(4350) and Y(B) are, respectively, consistent with the ground state and first radial excitation of the l=1 state.