Possible hints and search for glueball production in charmless rare B decays

Recent data on B→pp̄K, K0ππ and KKK hint at a ∼2.3 GeV object recoiling against a kaon. This could be the narrow state observed in J/ψ→γξ. Nonobservation in pp̄ annihilation implies B(ξ→pp̄)∼ few ×10−3, consistent with ηc and J/ψ decays, but there are actual hints in pp̄→φφ and pp→pπ+π−π+π−p. Simple modeling shows B(B→ξK)B(ξ→pp̄)∼1×10−6, appearing as a spike in the pp̄ spectrum, with ∼ 30 events per 100 fb−1; modes such as KKsKs, Kφφ, K4π (Kf2ππ) etc. should be explored. The underlying dynamics of g∗→gξ is analogous to g∗→gη′ or gluon fragmentation. Discovery of sizable B→ξK could be useful for CP violation studies.