Exotic heavy meson spectroscopy and structure with EIC: Next-level physics and detector simulations

Description:      

Exotic heavy meson states (XYZ) are novel QCD phenomena that challenge our understanding of nonperturbative gluon dynamics and heavy quarkonium structure. Since their discovery in 2003 they have been studied extensively in e⁺e^- and hadron beam experiments and grown into a rich field of research. Many basic questions concerning these states remain unanswered (universality, internal structure) and call for new theoretical and experimental approaches. The EIC can make major contributions to the understanding of exotic heavy mesons through electro/photoproduction experiments, polarization observables, and the use of novel detection methods.

The workshop will assess the feasibility and impact of exotic heavy meson production experiments with EIC on the basis of the ePIC detector design and simulation tools. Reconstruction of exotic states will be discussed including effects of tracking, particle identification, electromagnetic and hadron calorimetry, DAQ & readout electronics, and the far-forward and backward subsystems coupled to the central detector. This discussion will be conducted bringing together the subsystem experts of the ePIC Collaboration, theorists and users in general interested in XYZ spectroscopy science. The workshop will also update the scientific motivation for exotic heavy meson studies with EIC. It will leverage recent theoretical progress in the QCD description of heavy quarkonium photo/electroproduction processes (factorization, inclusive and exclusive modes), as well as progress in the understanding of the structure of exotic states (Lattice QCD, effective field theories). 

This 2025 workshop follows the 2022 CFNS Workshop ''Exotic heavy meson spectroscopy and structure with EIC'' and continues the development of the quarkonium spectroscopy and structure program with EIC.

Objectives:                   

1) Assess feasibility and impact of exotic heavy meson photo electroproduction experiments with EIC on the basis of the ePIC detector design;
2) Update scientific motivation for exotic heavy meson production experiments with EIC in light of  recent theoretical progress with quarkonium structure and QCD production mechanism;
3) Formulate a plan for further exotic heavy meson simulations and physics studies.

Topics to be discussed:

1) XYZ electro/photoproduction reactions: Rates, kinematic dependences, inclusive/exclusive  measurements;
2) ePIC capabilities for heavy quarkonium reconstruction: Tracking, PID, EM/hadron calorimetry, DAQ/  readout;
3) XYZ production at EIC: Detector simulations, physics impact studies;
4) Polarization observables for XYZ physics;
5) Production of heavy quarkonia in QCD: Factorization, effective theories, large-distance structures;
6) Structure of exotic quarkonia: Lattice QCD, NRQCD;
7) Future EIC program in exotic heavy meson spectroscopy.

Expected outcomes of the workshop:

1) Summary report (or, a white paper) on the feasibility and impact of XYZ studies at EIC with ePIC;
2) Promotion of detector/physics simulations and theoretical calculations in a broad effort including experimentalists and theorists;
3) Promotion of further developments of existing Monte-Carlo generators as well as building new event generators and analysis tools for more comprehensive spectroscopy studies with the EIC detectors;
4) Formation of a Heavy Meson Spectroscopy physics working group within the ePIC Collaboration, the activities of which may also involve a significant input/contribution from the theory community. Under the consent of the ePIC leadership and conveners, the new working group will closely cooperate with several physics and detector working groups: namely, with the groups of Jets and Heavy Flavor, Exclusive, Diffraction and Tagging, Physics and Detector Simulation, and Reconstruction.