Instanton induced quark dynamics and the pentaquark

Abstract

We analyze the existence of the exotic $\Theta^+$ from the perspective of instanton induced quark dynamics. The 't Hooft interaction gives strong attraction in specific channels of the triquark $ud\bar s$ and diquark $ud$ configurations. In particular it leads to a light $ud\bar s$ triquark cluster, with the mass around $750 {\rm MeV}$, in the I=0, $S=1/2$ and color 3 configuration, and a light $ud$-diquark configuration, with mass $440 {\rm MeV}$, in the I=0, S=0 and color {$\bar{3}$} configuration. If we consider the pentaquark as a bound state of such triquark and diquark configurations in a relative L=1 state we obtain good agreement with the data. The small width of $\Theta^+$ has a natural explanation in this model.