Search for the charmed pentaquark candidate Θc(3100)0 in e+e− annihilations at √s = 10.58 GeV

Abstract

We search for the charmed pentaquark candidate reported by the H1 collaboration, the Θ c ( 3100 ) 0 , in e + e − interactions at a center-of-mass (c.m.) energy of 10.58 GeV, using 124 fb − 1 of data recorded with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II e + e − facility at SLAC. We find no evidence for such a state in the same p D * − decay mode reported by H1, and we set limits on its production cross section times branching fraction into p D * − as a function of c.m. momentum. The corresponding limit on its total rate per e + e − → q ¯ q event, times branching fraction, is about 3 orders of magnitude lower than rates measured for the charmed Λ c and Σ c baryons in such events.