Measurement of the D → K - π + π + π- and D → K - π + π 0 coherence factors and average strong-phase differences in quantum-correlated $ D\overline{D} $ decays
The decays D → K - π + π + π - and D → K - π + π 0 are studied in a sample of quantum-correlated \( D\overline{D} \) pairs produced through the process e + e - → ψ (3770) → \( D\overline{D} \) , exploiting a data set collected by the BESIII experiment that corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.93 fb - 1 . Here D indicates a quantum superposition of a D 0 and a \( {\overline{D}}^0 \) meson. By reconstructing one neutral charm meson in a signal decay, and the other in the same or a different final state, observables are measured that contain information on the coherence factors and average strong-phase differences of each of the signal modes. These parameters are critical inputs in the measurement of the angle γ of the Unitarity Triangle in B - → DK - decays at the LHCb and Belle II experiments. The coherence factors are determined to be R K 3 π = \( {0.52}_{-0.10}^{+0.12} \) and \( {R}_{K{\pi \pi}^0} \) = 0 . 78 ± 0 . 04, with values for the average strong-phase differences that are \( {\delta}_D^{K3\pi }=\left({167}_{-19}^{+31}\right){}^{\circ} \) and \( {\delta}_D^{K{\pi \pi}^0}=\left({196}_{-15}^{+14}\right){}^{\circ} \) , where the uncertainties include both statistical and systematic contributions. The analysis is re-performed in four bins of the phase-space of the D → K - π + π + π - to yield results that will allow for a more sensitive measurement of γ with this mode, to which the BESIII inputs will contribute an uncertainty of around 6°.