Do $c\bar c n\bar n$ bound states exist?

Abstract

The four--quark system $c\bar c n\bar n$ is studied in the framework of the constituent quark model. Using different types of quark-quark potentials, we solve the four--body Schrödinger equation by means of the hyperspherical harmonic formalism. Exploring the low laying $J^{PC}$ states for different isospin configurations no four-quark bound states have been found. Of particular interest is the possible four-quark structure of the X(3872). We rule out the possibility that this particle is a compact tetraquark system, unless additional correlations, either in the form of diquarks or at the level of the interacting potential, not considered in simple quark models do contribute.

30 pages, 2 figures. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. D