QCD predictions for physical multimeson scattering amplitudes

Abstract

We use lattice QCD calculations of the finite-volume spectra of systems of two and three mesons to determine, for the first time, three-particle scattering amplitudes with physical quark masses. Our results are for combinations of ${\pi }^{+}$ and $K^{+}$, at a lattice spacing $a=0.063$fm, and in the isospin-symmetric limit. We also obtain accurate results for maximal-isospin two-meson amplitudes, with those for ${\pi }^{+}{K}^{+}$ and $2K^{+}$ being the first determinations at the physical point. Dense lattice spectra are obtained using the stochastic Laplacian-Heaviside method, and the analysis leading to scattering amplitudes is done using the relativistic finite-volume formalism. Results are compared to chiral perturbation theory and to phenomenological fits to experimental data, finding good agreement.

Comments: 7 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables. v3: minor updates in figs 3,4. Matches published version