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First measurement of ψ(3686)→pˉK+Σ∗(1385)0+c.c.\psi(3686)\to\bar{p} K^{+} \Sigma^{*}(1385)^{0} + c.c. and ψ(3686)→pˉK∗(892)0Σ++c.c.\psi(3686)\to\bar{p} K^{*}(892)^{0} \Sigma^{+} + c.c.

Using a sample of 2712.4×1062712.4 \times 10^6 ψ(3686)\psi(3686) events collected by the BESIII detector, this study reports the first observation of the decays ψ(3686)→pˉK+Σ∗(1385)0+c.c.\psi(3686)\to\bar{p} K^{+} \Sigma^{*}(1385)^{0} + c.c. and ψ(3686)→pˉK∗(892)0Σ++c.c.\psi(3686)\to\bar{p} K^{*}(892)^{0} \Sigma^{+} + c.c. with measured branching fractions, while finding no significant evidence for hidden-strange pentaquark candidates Nx(1875)N_{x}(1875) and Nx(2100)N_{x}(2100) and setting corresponding upper limits.

Original authors: BESIII Collaboration, M. Ablikim, M. N. Achasov, P. Adlarson, X. C. Ai, C. S. Akondi, R. Aliberti, A. Amoroso, Q. An, Y. H. An, M. S. Anderson, Y. Bai, O. Bakina, H. R. Bao, X. L. Bao, M. Barbagiovann
Published 2026-10-27
📖 1 min read🧠 Deep dive

Original authors: BESIII Collaboration, M. Ablikim, M. N. Achasov, P. Adlarson, X. C. Ai, C. S. Akondi, R. Aliberti, A. Amoroso, Q. An, Y. H. An, M. S. Anderson, Y. Bai, O. Bakina, H. R. Bao, X. L. Bao, M. Barbagiovanni, V. Batozskaya, K. Begzsuren, N. Berger, M. Berlowski, M. B. Bertani, D. Bettoni, F. Bianchi, E. Bianco, A. Bortone, I. Boyko, R. A. Briere, A. Brueggemann, D. Cabiati, H. Cai, M. H. Cai, X. Cai, A. Calcaterra, G. F. Cao, N. Cao, S. A. Cetin, X. Y. Chai, J. F. Chang, T. T. Chang, G. R. Che, Y. Z. Che, C. H. Chen, Chao Chen, G. Chen, H. S. Chen, H. Y. Chen, M. L. Chen, S. J. Chen, S. M. Chen, T. Chen, W. Chen, X. R. Chen, X. T. Chen, X. Y. Chen, Y. B. Chen, Y. Q. Chen, Z. K. Chen, J. Cheng, L. N. Cheng, S. K. Choi, X. Chu, G. Cibinetto, F. Cossio, J. Cottee-Meldrum, H. L. Dai, J. P. Dai, X. C. Dai, A. Dbeyssi, R. E. de Boer, D. Dedovich, Z. Y. Deng, A. Denig, I. Denisenko, M. Destefanis, F. De Mori, E. Di Fiore, X. X. Ding, Y. Ding, Y. X. Ding, J. Dong, L. Y. Dong, M. 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Original paper licensed under CC BY 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ✨ This is an AI-generated explanation of the paper below. It is not written or endorsed by the authors. For technical accuracy, refer to the original paper. Read full disclaimer

Technical Summary: First Observation of ψ(3686)→pˉK+Σ∗(1385)0\psi(3686) \to \bar{p}K^+\Sigma^{*}(1385)^0 and ψ(3686)→pˉK∗(892)0Σ+\psi(3686) \to \bar{p}K^{*}(892)^0\Sigma^+ Decays and Search for Hidden-Strange Pentaquarks

Problem and Motivation
In the conventional quark model, hadrons are composed of two (qqˉq\bar{q}) or three ($qqq$) quarks. However, Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) permits exotic hadrons with larger numbers of quarks. Following the 2015 LHCb observation of hidden-charm pentaquarks (PcP_c), theoretical interest has shifted toward analogous hidden-strange pentaquark states. Specifically, interactions between Σ(∗)\Sigma^{(*)} and K(∗)K^{(*)} mesons are predicted to generate resonant structures similar to the PcP_c states but with ssˉs\bar{s} content instead of ccˉc\bar{c}. Two such candidates, Nx(1875)N_x(1875) (from Σ∗K\Sigma^*K interaction) and Nx(2100)N_x(2100) (from ΣK∗\Sigma K^* interaction), have been proposed as hidden-strange partners to Pc(4380)P_c(4380) and Pc(4450)P_c(4450), respectively. Prior to this work, direct observations of these resonance states in charmonium hadronic decays had not been reported.

Methodology
The analysis utilizes a data sample of (2712.4±14.3)×106(2712.4 \pm 14.3) \times 10^6 ψ(3686)\psi(3686) events collected by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The study focuses on two decay chains:

  1. ψ(3686)→pˉK+Σ∗(1385)0\psi(3686) \to \bar{p}K^+\Sigma^{*}(1385)^0, with Σ∗(1385)0→Λπ0\Sigma^{*}(1385)^0 \to \Lambda\pi^0 and Λ→pπ−\Lambda \to p\pi^-.
  2. ψ(3686)→pˉK∗(892)0Σ+\psi(3686) \to \bar{p}K^{*}(892)^0\Sigma^+, with K∗(892)0→K+π−K^{*}(892)^0 \to K^+\pi^- and Σ+→pπ0\Sigma^+ \to p\pi^0.

Event selection requires charged tracks within specific polar angles and vertex constraints, alongside particle identification (PID) using $dE/dx$ and time-of-flight (TOF) measurements. Photon candidates are identified in the electromagnetic calorimeter (EMC). Reconstruction involves kinematic fits (1C for π0\pi^0, 5C for the full decay chain) to constrain invariant masses and improve resolution.

To determine detection efficiencies and model the decay dynamics accurately, the authors employ a Partial-Wave Analysis (PWA). This approach accounts for intermediate resonances (e.g., Λ(1405)\Lambda(1405) and Σ(1880)\Sigma(1880)) and non-resonant contributions, generating Monte Carlo (MC) samples that better match the data than simple phase-space (PHSP) models. Signal yields are extracted via unbinned maximum-likelihood fits to the relevant invariant mass spectra. Systematic uncertainties are evaluated by varying fit ranges, signal/background shapes, kinematic fit parameters, and detection efficiency models.

Key Contributions and Results

  • First Observation of Decays: The paper reports the first observation of the decays ψ(3686)→pˉK+Σ∗(1385)0+c.c.\psi(3686) \to \bar{p}K^+\Sigma^{*}(1385)^0 + \text{c.c.} and ψ(3686)→pˉK∗(892)0Σ++c.c.\psi(3686) \to \bar{p}K^{*}(892)^0\Sigma^+ + \text{c.c.}

    • The branching fraction for ψ(3686)→pˉK+Σ∗(1385)0+c.c.\psi(3686) \to \bar{p}K^+\Sigma^{*}(1385)^0 + \text{c.c.} is measured as (3.94±0.15stat±0.24syst)×10−5(3.94 \pm 0.15_{\text{stat}} \pm 0.24_{\text{syst}}) \times 10^{-5}.
    • The branching fraction for ψ(3686)→pˉK∗(892)0Σ++c.c.\psi(3686) \to \bar{p}K^{*}(892)^0\Sigma^+ + \text{c.c.} is measured as (4.93±0.14stat±0.30syst)×10−5(4.93 \pm 0.14_{\text{stat}} \pm 0.30_{\text{syst}}) \times 10^{-5}.
  • Search for Hidden-Strange Pentaquarks: The authors searched for the Nx(1875)N_x(1875) and Nx(2100)N_x(2100) candidates in the invariant mass spectra of K+Σ∗(1385)0K^+\Sigma^{*}(1385)^0 and K∗(892)0Σ+K^{*}(892)^0\Sigma^+, respectively.

    • No significant signals were observed for either candidate.
    • Upper limits on the branching fractions at the 90% confidence level (C.L.) were established:
      • B(ψ(3686)→pˉNx(1875)→pˉK+Σ∗(1385)0)<1.58×10−6\mathcal{B}(\psi(3686) \to \bar{p}N_x(1875) \to \bar{p}K^+\Sigma^{*}(1385)^0) < 1.58 \times 10^{-6}.
      • B(ψ(3686)→pˉNx(2100)→pˉK∗(892)0Σ+)<3.09×10−7\mathcal{B}(\psi(3686) \to \bar{p}N_x(2100) \to \bar{p}K^{*}(892)^0\Sigma^+) < 3.09 \times 10^{-7}.

Significance
The paper claims that these results provide the first experimental evidence for the specific decay modes involving Σ∗\Sigma^* and K∗K^* in ψ(3686)\psi(3686) decays. Furthermore, by setting stringent upper limits on the production of Nx(1875)N_x(1875) and Nx(2100)N_x(2100), the study provides critical experimental input and constraints for theoretical models attempting to describe hidden-strange pentaquark states. The absence of observed signals suggests that if these states exist, their production rates in ψ(3686)\psi(3686) decays are significantly lower than previously hypothesized or that their properties differ from the simple molecular interpretations analogous to the PcP_c states.

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