Decays $\tau \to f_0(\pi,K) \nu_\tau$ and $\tau \to 3 \pi \nu_\tau$ accounting for the contribution of $f_0(500)$

In the $U(3) \times U(3)$ quark NJL model, $\tau$ lepton decays with the production of scalar mesons $f_0(\pi,K])$ and neutrinos are studied, where $f_0=f_0(500), f_0(980)$. It is shown that these decays mainly occur via contact channels and channels with axial-vector mesons $a_1$, $K_1(1270)$ and $K_1(1400)$. All mesons are considered as quark-antiquark states in this case. The obtained results can be considered as predictions for future experiments. The obtained estimates for the branching fractions of the $\tau \to \pi^-2\pi^0 \nu_\tau$ decay taking into account the contributions of the $\rho\pi$ and $f_0(500)\pi$ states are in satisfactory agreement with experimental data.

M.K. Volkov, A.A. Pivovarov, K. Nurlan · 2024