Testing the origin of the "$f_1(1420)$" with the $\bar K p \to \Lambda (\Sigma) K\bar K \pi$ reaction

Abstract

We study the $\bar K p \to Y K\bar K \pi$ reactions with $\bar K = \bar K^0, K^-$ and $Y=\Sigma^0, \Sigma^+, \Lambda$, in the region of $K\bar K \pi$ invariant masses of $1200-1550$ MeV. The strong coupling of the $f_1(1285)$ resonance to $K^* \bar K$ makes the mechanism based on $K^*$ exchange very efficient to produce this resonance observed in the $K\bar K \pi$ invariant mass distribution. In addition, in all the reactions one observes an associated peak at $1420$ MeV which comes from the $K^* \bar K$ decay mode of the $f_1(1285)$ when the $K^*$ is placed off shell at higher invariant masses. We claim this to be the reason for the peak of the $K^* \bar K$ distribution seen in the experiments which has been associated to the "$f_1(1420)$" resonance.