Bound-state spectra of $\chi_{cJ}$ in finite nuclei and the universal pattern of mass levels

Abstract

In this work, we investigate possible $\chi_{cJ}$--nuclear bound states with $J=0,1,2$ using in-medium mass shifts generated by virtual $D^{(*)}\bar{D}^{(*)}$ loops within an unquenched framework. The resulting $\chi_{cJ}$--nucleus potentials are constructed in the local density approximation, and the bound state spectra are calculated for $^{12}{\rm C}$, $^{16}{\rm O}$, $^{40}{\rm Ca}$, $^{90}{\rm Zr}$, $^{197}{\rm Au}$, and $^{208}{\rm Pb}$. Bound states are obtained for all systems considered. The $\chi_{c0}(1P)$ and $\chi_{c1}(1P)$ spectra are nearly degenerate, whereas the larger in-medium mass shift of $\chi_{c2}(1P)$ leads to deeper binding. Although the absolute bound state energies depend appreciably on the cutoff parameter, the energy differences relative to the $1s$ level are considerably less sensitive to it and exhibit a regular pattern that decreases approximately as $A^{-2/3}$ with increasing nuclear mass number. A cosh-type potential with a common nuclear geometry provides a compact description of these spectra. The predicted bound-state structures and level-spacing systematics could be investigated in future high-statistics near-threshold photoproduction experiments at the upgraded JLab facility.