A novel interpretation of the "$\Theta^{+}(1540)$ pentaquark" peak

Abstract

We use a theoretical model of the $\gamma ~d \to ~K^+ K^- ~n ~p $ reaction adapted to the experiment done at LEPS where a peak was observed and associated to the $\Theta^{+}(1540)$ pentaquark. The study shows that the method used in the experiment to associate momenta to the undetected proton and neutron, together with the chosen cuts, necessarily creates an artificial broad peak in the assumed $K^+ n$ invariant mass in the region of the claimed $\Theta^{+}(1540)$, such that the remaining strength seen for the experimental peak is compatible with a fluctuation of 2$\sigma$ significance.