The $\rho-\omega$ splitting in constituent quark models

In this letter we present a solution to describe simultaneously the light isoscalar and isovector vector mesons in constituent quark models. In Ref. [1] the $q\bar q$ spectrum was studied in a generalized constituent quark model constrained by the $NN$ phenomenology and the baryon spectrum. An overall good fit to the available experimental data was obtained. A major problem of this description was the relative position of the vector $\omega$ and $\rho$ mesons. The present results improve the description of the isoscalar meson spectroscopy. They should serve as a step forward in distinguishing conventional quark model mesons from exotic states.