EVIDENCE FOR A SCALAR GLUEBALL

Abstract

We show that the newly discovered scalar meson $f_0(1500)$ at LEAR has properties compatible with the lightest scalar glueball predicted by lattice QCD and incompatible with a $\text{qqbar}$ state. We suggest that decays of glueballs are into pairs of glueballs (including $\eta ,{\eta }^{\prime }$ or $(\pi \pi {)}_S$) or by mixing with nearby $Q\bar{Q}$ states. The partial widths of $f_0(1500)$ are in accord with this hypothesis, tests of which include characteristic radiative decays to $\gamma \varphi ,\gamma \omega ,\gamma \rho$ and the prediction of a further scalar state, $f_0^{\prime }(1500-1800)$ which couples strongly to $K\bar{K}$, $\eta \eta$ and $\eta {\eta }^{\prime }$.

Comments: 10 pages. Latex. 3 figures available from authors