Is $f_0(1500)$ a Scalar Glueball?

Abstract

Following the discovery of two new scalar mesons, $f_0(1370)$ and $f_0(1500)$ at the Low Energy Antiproton Ring at CERN, we argue that the observed properties of this pair are incompatible with them both being $\qqbar$ mesons. We show instead that $f_0(1500)$ is compatible with the ground state glueball expected around 1500 MeV mixed with the nearby states of the $0^{++}$ $Q\bar{Q}$ nonet. Tests of this hypothesis include the prediction of a further scalar state, $f_0'(1500 - 1800)$ which couples strongly to $K\bar{K}$, $\eta\eta$ and $\eta\eta'$. Signatures for a possible tensor glueball at $\sim $2 GeV are also considered.