On the scattering of D and D* mesons off the X(3872)

Abstract

Both the mass (just below the D^{*0}Dbar^0 threshold) and the likely quantum numbers (J^{PC}=1^{++}) of the X(3872) suggest that it is either a weakly-bound hadronic ``molecule'' or a virtual state of charmed mesons. Assuming the X(3872) is a weakly-bound molecule, the scattering of neutral D and D* mesons off the X(3872) can be predicted from the X(3872) binding energy. We calculate the phase shifts and cross section for scattering of D^0 and D^{*0} mesons and their antiparticles off the X(3872) in an effective field theory for short-range interactions. This provides another example of a three-body process, along with those in nuclear and atomic systems, that displays universal properties. It may be possible to extract the scattering within the final state interactions of B_c decays and/or other LHC events.