Dalitz decay of K^*(892) → K ⁺ ⁻: a new probe for hadronic structure and dark photon searches

We present the first comprehensive study of the rare Dalitz decay K^*(892) → K ⁺ ⁻ ( = e, μ ) K ∗ ( 892 ) → K ℓ + ℓ - ( ℓ = e , μ ) , providing a prediction for the branching fraction and the dilepton mass spectrum. This decay involves the emission of a virtual photon which converts into a lepton pair, offering a probe of the transition form factor FK^*K(q²) F K ∗ K ( q 2 ) and underlying meson structure. Using a single pole approximation for the form factor, we present the calculation of the branching fraction for this rare decay channel for the first time. Furthermore, we also investigate the potential to search for a light $$A'$$ A ′ boson (dark photon) appearing as a narrow resonance in the dilepton spectrum, and discuss the experimental sensitivity and new physics opportunities at the dedicated BESIII experiment. Our results establish K^*(892) → K ⁺ ⁻ ( = e, μ ) K ∗ ( 892 ) → K ℓ + ℓ - ( ℓ = e , μ ) as a new laboratory for hadronic structure and dark-sector searches.