The $\bar{D}^* \bar{D}^* \Sigma_c$ Three-Body System

Abstract

In the molecular picture the hidden-charm, pentaquark-like $P_c(4450)$ resonance is a $\bar{D}^* \Sigma_c$ bound state with quantum numbers $I=\tfrac{1}{2}$ and $J^P = \tfrac{3}{2}^-$. If this happens to be the case, it will be natural to expect the existence of $\bar{D}^* \bar{D}^* \Sigma_c$ three-body bound states. The most probable quantum numbers for a bound $\bar{D}^* \bar{D}^* \Sigma_c$ trimer are the isoscalar $J^P = \tfrac{1}{2}^+$, $\tfrac{5}{2}^+$ and the isovector $J^P = \tfrac{3}{2}^+$, $\tfrac{5}{2}^+$ configurations. Calculations within a contact-range theory indicate a trimer binding energy $B_3 \sim 3-5\,{\rm MeV}$ and $14-16\,{\rm MeV}$ for the isoscalar $\tfrac{1}{2}^+$ and $\tfrac{5}{2}^+$ states and $B_3 \sim 1-3\,{\rm MeV}$ and $3-5\,{\rm MeV}$ for the isovector $\tfrac{3}{2}^+$ and $\tfrac{5}{2}^+$ states, respectively, with $B_3$ relative to the $\bar{D}^* P_c(4450)$ threshold. These predictions are affected by a series of error sources that we discuss in detail.