Improved measurement of the decays η ′ → π + π − π + ( 0 ) π − ( 0 ) and search for the rare decay η ′ → 4 π 0
Using a sample of 10 billion J / ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, the decays η ′ → π + π − π + π − , η ′ → π + π − π 0 π 0 and η ′ → 4 π 0 are studied via the process J / ψ → γ η ′ . The branching fractions of η ′ → π + π − π + π − and η ′ → π + π − π 0 π 0 are measured to be ( 8.56 ± 0.25 ( stat ) ± 0.23 ( syst ) ) × 10 − 5 and ( 2.12 ± 0.12 ( stat ) ± 0.10 ( syst ) ) × 10 − 4 , respectively, which are consistent with previous measurements but with improved precision. No significant η ′ → 4 π 0 signal is observed, and the upper limit on the branching fraction of this decay is determined to be less than 1.24 × 10 − 5 at the 90% confidence level. In addition, an amplitude analysis of η ′ → π + π − π + π − is performed to extract the doubly virtual isovector form factor α for the first time. The measured value of α = 1.22 ± 0.33 ( stat ) ± 0.04 ( syst ) , is in agreement with the prediction of the vector meson dominance model. Published by the American Physical Society 2024