Inclusive K0(S)K0(S) resonance production in ep collisions at HERA

Abstract

Inclusive K0SK0 S production in ep collisions at HERA was studied with the ZEUS detector using an integrated luminosity of 0.5 fb−1. Enhancements in the mass spectrum were observed and are attributed to the production of f2(1270)/a0 2(1320), f′ 2(1525) and f0(1710). Masses and widths were obtained using a fit which takes into account theoretical predictions based on SU(3) sym- metry arguments, and are consistent with the PDG values. The f0(1710) state, which has a mass consistent with a glueball candidate, was observed with a sta- tistical significance of 5 standard deviations. However, if this state is the same as that seen in ! K0 SK0 S, it is unlikely to be a pure glueball state.