Evidence of $ψ(3770) \to π^{0}J/ψ$

Abstract

We report the first evidence for the hadronic transition $ψ(3770) \to π^0 J/ψ$ using a data sample of $20.3~\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ collected at $\sqrt{s} = 3.773$~GeV with the BESIII detector. The $e^+ e^- \to π^{0}J/ψ$ process is observed with a statistical significance of $6.1σ$, while the significance specifically attributed to $ψ(3770) \to π^{0}J/ψ$ is $4.5σ$. We measure the dressed cross section for $e^+e^- \to π^0 J/ψ$ to be $(249 \pm 44 \pm 15)~\text{fb}$ and determine the branching fraction $\mathcal{B}(ψ(3770) \to π^0 J/ψ) = (2.08 \pm 0.36 \pm 0.21\pm 0.25) \times 10^{-5}$, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third due to a possible interference with the $ψ(3686) \to π^{0}J/ψ$ decay. This is the first determination of this branching fraction. It lies significantly below tetraquark model predictions but aligns with calculations that incorporate meson loop effects, providing crucial insight into the isospin-violating nature of $ψ(3770)$ decays.