The philosophy on production of exotic hadrons (multiquark states) in the framework of the quark combination model is investigated, taking $f_0(980)$ as an example. The production rate and $p_T$ spectra of $f_0(980)$ considered as $(s\overline{s})$ or $(s\overline{q}\overline{s}q)$, respectively, are calculated and compared in $\mathrm{Au}+\mathrm{Au}$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathit{NN}}}=200$ GeV. The unitarity of various combination models, when open for exotic hadron production, is addressed.

• Received 21 June 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.80.035202