Understanding the $e^+e^-\to D^{(*)+}D^{(*)-}$ processes observed by Belle

Abstract

We calculate the production cross sections for $D^{*+}D^{*-}$, $D^+D^{*-}$ and $D^+D^-$ in $e^+e^-$ annihilation through one virtual photon in the framework of perturbative QCD with constituent quarks. The calculated cross sections for $D^{*+}D^{*-}$ and $D^+D^{*-}$ production are roughly in agreement with the recent Belle data. The helicity decomposition for $D^{*}$ meson production is also calculated. The fraction of the $D^{*\pm}_LD^{*\mp}_T$ final state in $e^+e^-\to D^{*+}D^{*-}$ process is found to be 65%. The fraction of $DD^*_T$ production is 100% and $DD^*_L$ is forbidden in $e^+e^-$ annihilation through one virtual photon. We further consider $e^+e^-$ annihilation through two virtual photons, and then find the fraction of $DD^{*}_T$ in $e^+e^-\to DD^{*}$ process to be about 91%.