Observation of the resonant character of the $Z(4430)^-$ state

Abstract

Resonant structures in $B^0\toψ'π^-K^+$ decays are analyzed by performing a four-dimensional fit of the decay amplitude, using $pp$ collision data corresponding to $\rm 3 fb^{-1}$ collected with the LHCb detector. The data cannot be described with $K^+π^-$ resonances alone, which is confirmed with a model-independent approach. A highly significant $Z(4430)^-\toψ'π^-$ component is required, thus confirming the existence of this state. The observed evolution of the $Z(4430)^-$ amplitude with the $ψ'π^-$ mass establishes the resonant nature of this particle. The mass and width measurements are substantially improved. The spin-parity is determined unambiguously to be $1^+$.

10 pages, 4 figures