Theoretical study of scalar meson a0(1710) in the ηc → <overline>K0K+π- reaction

We investigate the process eta c -> over bar K0K+pi- by taking into account the S-wave K* over bar K* and rho omega interactions within the unitary coupled-channel approach, where the scalar meson a0(1710) is dynamically generated. In addition, the contributions from the intermediate resonances K*0(1430)- -> over bar K0 pi- and K*0(1430)0 -> K+ pi- are also considered. We find a significant dip structure around 1.8 GeV, associated to the a0(1710), in the over bar K0K+ invariant mass distribution, and the clear peaks of the K*0(1430) in the over bar K0 pi- and K+ pi- invariant mass distributions, consistent with the BABAR measurements. We further estimate the branching fractions B(eta c -> over bar K*0K*+ pi-) = 5.5 x 10-3 and B(eta c -> omega rho+ pi-) = 7.9 x 10-3. Our predictions can be tested by the BESIII and Belle II experiments in the future.