Dispersion-theoretical analysis of the D^+ --> K^- pi^+ pi^+ Dalitz plot

Abstract

We study the Dalitz plot of the Cabibbo-favored charmed-meson decay $D^+\to K^-\pi^+\pi^+$ using dispersion theory. The formalism respects all constraints from analyticity and unitarity, and consistently describes final-state interactions between all three decay products. We employ pion-pion and pion-kaon phase shifts as input, and fit the pertinent subtraction constants to Dalitz plot data by the CLEO and FOCUS collaborations. Phase motions of resonant as well as nonresonant amplitudes are discussed, which should provide crucial input for future studies of CP violation in similar three-body charm decays.