Deciphering the Nature of X(3872) in Heavy Ion Collisions

2020/04/30 by Hui Zhang, Jinfeng Liao, Enke Wang +2
Physics and Astronomy · #Charm (quantum number) #Charm quark #Exotic hadron #Hadron #High-Energy Particle Collisions Research #Hypernucleus #Nuclear physics #Observable #Particle physics #Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies #Pentaquark #Physics #Quantum Chromodynamics and Particle Interactions #Quantum chromodynamics #Quantum mechanics #Quark #Tetraquark #X(3872) #hep-ex #hep-ph #nucl-ex #nucl-th

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.126.012301

published as Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 012301 (2021) · 5 pages, 5 figures, published version in Phys. Rev. Lett

openalex publication_date 2021/01/06 · arxiv created 2021/02/08 · arxiv updated 2021/02/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06

Abstract

Exploring the nature of exotic multiquark candidates such as the X(3872) plays a pivotal role in understanding quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Despite significant efforts, consensus on their internal structures is still lacking. As a prime example, it remains a pressing open question to decipher the X(3872) state between two popular exotic configurations: a loose hadronic molecule or a compact tetraquark. We demonstrate a novel approach to help address this problem by studying the X(3872) production in heavy ion collisions, where a hot fireball with ample light as well as charm (anti-)quarks is available for producing the exotics. Adopting a multiphase transport model (AMPT) for describing such collisions and implementing appropriate production mechanism of either molecule or tetraquark picture, we compute and compare a series of observables for X(3872) in Pb-Pb collisions at the Large Hadron Collider. We find the fireball volume plays a crucial role, leading to a 2-order-of-magnitude difference in the X(3872) yield and a markedly different centrality dependence between hadronic molecules and compact tetraquarks, thus offering a unique opportunity for distinguishing the two scenarios. We also make the first prediction of X(3872) elliptic flow coefficient to be tested by future experimental measurements.

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