The relation between D and A1 axial-vector meson decays

We analyse the available information on the production and three-body decays of the D(1285) meson in an attempt to establish its relationship to the A₁(J^PC = 1⁺⁺) which mounting evidence suggests has a mass and width of 1100 and 250 MeV, respectively. In particular, we demonstrate that the narrow width of the D(20 to 30 MeV) is by no means incompatible with a broad A₁ and SU(3) symmetry. Taking due account of the possible existence of a K_A meson at 1340 MeV, we predict the decay properties of the ninth member of the nonet (the D') and argue that the E(1420) is not a viable candidate for this state.