A theory of X and Z multiquark resonances

We introduce the hypothesis that diquarks and antidiquarks in tetraquarks are separated by a potential barrier. We show that this notion can answer satisfactorily long standing questions challenging the diquark–antidiquark model of exotic resonances. The tetraquark description of X and Z resonances is shown to be compatible with present limits on the non-observation of charged partners $X^{\pm }$, of the $X\left(3872\right)$ and the absence of a hyperfine splitting between two different neutral states. In the same picture, $Z_c$ and $Z_b$ particles are expected to form complete isospin triplets plus singlets. It is also explained why the decay rate into final states including quarkonia are suppressed with respect to those having open charm/beauty states.