Observation of J/psi -> p(p)over-bara(0)(980) at BESIII

Abstract

Using 2.25 x 10(8) J/psi events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage rings, we observe for the first time the process J/psi -> p (p) over bara(0)(980) -> pi(0)eta with a significance of 6.5 sigma (3.2 sigma including systematic uncertainties). The product branching fraction of J/psi -> p (p) over bara(0)(980) -> p (p) over bara(0)pi(0)eta is measured to be (6.8 +/- 1.2 +/- 1.3) x 10(-5), where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic. This measurement provides information on the a(0) production near threshold coupling to p (p) over bar and improves the understanding of the dynamics of J/psi decays to four-body processes.