Eur. Phys. J. A (2009) 42: 31-42
https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/i2009-10853-y

Regular Article - Theoretical Physics

Charm and hidden charm scalar mesons in the nuclear medium

¹ Departamento de Física Teórica and IFIC, Centro Mixto Universidad de Valencia-CSIC, Institutos de Investigación de Paterna, Aptdo. 22085, 46071, Valencia, Spain
² Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Ruth-Moufang-Str. 1, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
³ Theory Group, KVI, University of Groningen, Zernikelaan 25, 9747, AA Groningen, The Netherlands

^* e-mail: rmolina@ific.uv.es

Received: 16 July 2009
Accepted: 27 July 2009
Published online: 17 September 2009

Abstract

We study the renormalization of the properties of low-lying charm and hidden charm scalar mesons in a nuclear medium, concretely of the D _s0(2317) and the theoretical hidden charm state X(3700) . We find that for the D _s0(2317) , with negligible width at zero density, the width becomes about 100MeV at normal nuclear-matter density, while in the case of the X(3700) the width becomes as large as 200MeV. We discuss the origin of this new width and trace it to reactions occurring in the nucleus, while offering a guideline for future experiments testing these changes. We also show how those medium modifications will bring valuable information on the nature of the scalar resonances and the mechanisms of the interaction of D mesons with nucleons and nuclei.