Direct CP violation in multi-body B decays with the a⁰₀(980)--f₀(980) mixing

We predict that the $a_0^0(980)$-$f_0(980)$ mixing would lead to large CP violation. We calculate the localized direct CP asymmetry in the decays $B^\pm \to f_0(980) [a_0^0(980)] \pi^\pm \to \pi^+ \pi^- \pi^\pm $ via the $a_0^0(980)$-$f_0(980)$ mixing mechanism based on the hypothetical $q\bar q$ structures of $a^0_0(980)$ and $f_0(980)$ in the QCD factorization. It is shown that there is a peak for CP violation, which could be as large as 58%, when the invariance mass of $\pi\pi$ is near the masses of $a^0_0(980)$ and $f_0(980)$. Since the CP asymmetry is sensitive to the $a_0^0(980)$-$f_0(980)$ mixing, measuring the CP violating parameter in the aforementioned decays could provide a new way to verify the existence of the $a_0^0(980)$-$f_0(980)$ mixing and be helpful in clarifying the configuration nature of the light scalar mesons.