An $a_0$ resonance in strongly coupled $πη$, $K\overline{K}$ scattering from lattice QCD

Abstract

We present the first calculation of coupled-channel meson-meson scattering in the isospin $=1$, $G$-parity negative sector, with channels $πη$, $K\overline{K}$ and $πη'$, in a first-principles approach to QCD. From the discrete spectrum of eigenstates in three volumes extracted from lattice QCD correlation functions we determine the energy dependence of the $S$-matrix, and find that the $S$-wave features a prominent cusp-like structure in $πη\to πη$ close to $K\overline{K}$ threshold coupled with a rapid turn on of amplitudes leading to the $K\overline{K}$ final-state. This behavior is traced to an $a_0(980)$-like resonance, strongly coupled to both $πη$ and $K\overline{K}$, which is identified with a pole in the complex energy plane, appearing on only a single unphysical Riemann sheet. Consideration of $D$-wave scattering suggests a narrow tensor resonance at higher energy.