ξ(2220) reexamined: Strong decays of the 1${\mathrm{}}^3$${\mathit{F}}_2$ and 1${\mathrm{}}^3$${\mathit{F}}_4$ ss¯mesons

We calculate the decay widths of the 1${\mathrm{}}^3$ ${\mathit{F}}_2$ and 1${\mathrm{}}^3$ ${\mathit{F}}_4$ ss¯ mesons and compare them to the measured properties of the ξ(2220) [now known as the ${\mathit{f}}_4$(2220)]. Including previously neglected decay modes we find that the width of the ${}_{}{}^3{}_{}{}^{}$ ${\mathit{F}}_2$ state ss¯ meson is much larger than previously believed, making this explanation unlikely. On the other hand the predicted width of the ${}_{}{}^3{}_{}{}^{}$ ${\mathit{F}}_4$ state, although broader than the observed width, is consistent within the uncertainties of the model. This interpretation predicts large partial widths to ${\mathrm{KK}}^{*}$(892) and ${\mathit{K}}^{\mathrm{*}}$(892)${\mathit{K}}^{\mathrm{*}}$(892) final states which should be looked for. A second possibility that would account for the different properties of the ξ(2220) seen in different experiments is that two hadronic states exist at this mass. The first would be a broader ${}_{}{}^3{}_{}{}^{}$ ${\mathit{F}}_4$ ss¯ state which is seen in hadron beam experiments while the second would be a narrow state with high glue content seen in the gluon rich J/ψ radiative decay. Further experimental results are needed to sort this out. © 1996 The American Physical Society.