Dalitz plot studies of D0 --> K0S pi+ pi- decays in a factorization approach

The presently available high-statistics data of the D0 --> K0S pi+ pi- processes measured by the Belle and BABAR Collaborations are analyzed within a quasi two-body QCD factorization framework. Starting from the weak effective Hamiltonian, tree and annihilation amplitudes build up the D0 --> K0S pi+ pi- decay amplitude. Two of the three final-state mesons are assumed to form a single scalar, vector or tensor state originating from a quark-antiquark pair so that the factorization hypothesis can be applied. The meson-meson final state interactions are described by K pi and pi pi scalar and vector form factors for the S and P waves and by relativistic Breit-Wigner formulae for the D waves. A combined chi^2 fit to a Belle Dalitz plot density distribution, to the total experimental branching fraction and to the tau^- --> K0S pi- nu_tau decay data is carried out to fix the 33 free parameters. These are mainly related to the strengths of the scalar form factors and to unknown meson to meson transition form factors at a large momentum transfer squared equal to the D0 mass squared. A good overall agreement to the Belle Dalitz plot density distribution is achieved. Another set of parameters fits equally well the BABAR Collaboration Dalitz plot model. The branching fractions of the dominant channels compare well with those of the isobar Belle or BABAR models.The lower-limit values of the branching fractions of the annihilation amplitudes are significant. Built upon experimental data from other processes, the unitary K pi and pi pi scalar form factors, entering our decay amplitude and satisfying analyticity and chiral symmetry constraints, are furthermore constrained by the present Dalitz plot analysis. Our decay amplitude could be a useful input for determinations of D0-D0bar mixing parameters and of the CKM angle gamma (or phi3).