Propagator poles and an emergent stable state below threshold: general discussion and the E(38) state

Abstract

In the framework of a simple quantum field theory describing the decay of a scalar state into two (pseudo)scalar ones we study the pole(s) motion(s) of its propagator: besides the expected pole on the second Riemann sheet, we find -- for a large enough coupling constant -- a second, additional pole on the first Riemann sheet below threshold, which corresponds to a stable state. We then perform a numerical study for a hadronic system in which a scalar particle couples to pions. We investigate under which conditions a stable state below the two-pion threshold can emerge. In particular, we study the case in which this stable state has a mass of 38 MeV, which corresponds to the recently claimed novel scalar state E(38). Moreover, we also show that the resonance $f_{0}(500)$ and the stable state E(38) could be two different manifestation of the same `object'. Finally, we also estimate the order of magnitude of its coupling to photons.