Search for direct production of the f1(1285) resonance in e+e− collisions.

A search for direct production of the f 1 (1285) resonance in e + e − annihilation is performed with the SND detector at the VEPP-2000 e + e − collider. The analysis is based on data with an integrated luminosity of 15.1 pb−1 accumulated in the center-of-mass energy range 1.2–1.4 GeV. Two e + e − → f 1 (1285) candidate events are found at the peak of the resonance and zero events beyond the resonance. The significance of the e + e − → f 1 (1285) signal is 2.5 σ. The cross section at the maximum of the resonance is found to be σ (e + e − → f 1) = 45 − 24 + 33 pb. The corresponding branching fraction B (f 1 (1285) → e + e −) = (5.1 − 2.7 + 3.7) × 10 − 9. We consider this result as a first indication of the process e + e − → f 1 (1285). The measured branching fraction is consistent with the theoretical prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]