Test of Scalar Meson Structure in $\phi$ Radiative Decays

Abstract

We show that $\phi$ radiative decays into scalar mesons [$f_0$(975), $a_0$(980)$\equiv S$] can provide important clues on the internal structures of these mesons. Radiative decay widths vary widely: $B.R.=10^{-4}-10^{-6}$ depending on the substructures ($q\bar q$, $qq\bar q\bar q$, $K\bar K$, glueball). Hence, we could discriminate among various models by measuring these widths at future $\phi$ factories. The understanding of these meson structures is valuable not only in hadron spectroscopy but also in nuclear physics in connection with the widely-used but little-understood $\sigma$ meson. We also find that the decay $\phi\rightarrow S\gamma \rightarrow K^0 \bar K^0\gamma$ is not strong enough to pose a significant background problem for studying CP violation via $\phi\rightarrow K^0 \bar K^0$ at the $\phi$ factories.