Clues for the existence of two $K_1(1270)$ resonances

Abstract

The axial vector meson $K_1(1270)$ was studied within the chiral unitary approach, where it was shown that it has a two-pole structure. We reanalyze the high-statistics WA3 experiment $K^- p\to K^-π^+π^- p$ at 63 GeV, which established the existence of both $K_1(1270)$ and $K_1(1400)$, and we show that it clearly favors our two-pole interpretation. We also reanalyze the traditional K-matrix interpretation of the WA3 data and find that the good fit of the data obtained there comes from large cancellations of terms of unclear physical interpretation.

published version in PRD; typos corrected; title changed to "Clues for the existence of two $K_1(1270)$ resonances"