Exploring the role of higher $\omega$ meson states in the $e^+ e^-\rightarrow b_1(1235) \pi$ process

Abstract

The properties of light vector mesons near 2.2 GeV remain poorly understood, impeding progress in mapping the higher-lying hadronic spectrum. Utilizing the newly released BESIII data on the Born cross sections for the process of $e^+ e^- \rightarrow b_1(1235) \pi$, we conduct a combined analysis incorporating theoretical predictions for the mass spectrum and decay properties of $\omega$-meson family. Our fit demonstrates that the enhancement structure near 2.2 GeV originates not from a single resonance, but from the significant interference between the $\omega(4S)$ and $\omega(3D)$ states, which have comparable contributions. This interpretation resolves the apparent discrepancy in the resonance parameters and yields values consistent with theoretical expectations. Our work provides a key interpretation of the vector enhancement structure and establishes a vital framework for identifying higher radial and orbital excitations in the $\omega$ meson family, thereby advancing the mapping of the light-hadron spectrum.