Mesonic form factors and the Isgur-Wise function on the light front

Abstract

Within the light-front framework, form factors for P\ensuremath{\rightarrow}P and P\ensuremath{\rightarrow}V transitions (P denotes a pseudoscalar meson, V a vector meson) due to the valence-quark configuration are calculated directly in the entire physical range of momentum transfer. The behavior of the form factors in the infinite quark mass limit are examined to see if the requirements of heavy-quark symmetry are satisfied. We find that the Bauer-Stech-Wirbel-type light-front wave function fails to give a correct normalization for the Isgur-Wise function at zero recoil in P\ensuremath{\rightarrow}V transition. Some of the P\ensuremath{\rightarrow}V form factors are found to depend on the recoiling direction of the daughter mesons relative to their parents. Thus the inclusion of the nonvalence contribution arising from quark-pair creation is mandatory in order to ensure that the physical form factors are independent of the recoiling direction. The main feature of the nonvalence contribution is discussed.