Global hyperon polarization, $\overline{P}_\mathrm{H}$, in Au+Au collisions over a large range of collision energy, $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}$, was recently measured and successfully reproduced by hydrodynamic and transport models with intense fluid vorticity of the quark-gluon plasma. While naïve extrapolation of data trends suggests a large $\overline{P}_\mathrm{H}$ as the collision energy is reduced, the behavior of $\overline{P}_\mathrm{H}$ at small $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}<7.7$ GeV is unknown. Operating the STAR experiment in fixed-target mode, we measured the polarization of $\Lambda$ hyperons along the direction of global angular momentum in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=3$ GeV. The observation of substantial polarization of $4.91\pm0.81(\rm stat.)\pm0.15(\rm syst.)$% in these collisions may require a reexamination of the viscosity of any fluid created in the collision, of the thermalization timescale of rotational modes, and of hadronic mechanisms to produce global polarization.
The measured invariant-mass distributions of two classes of $\Lambda$-hyperon decays. The decay classes are defined using the scalar triple product $\left(\vec{p}_\Lambda\times\vec{p}_p^*\right)\cdot \vec{B}_{\rm STAR}$, which is positive for right decays and negative for left decays. The right decay class has a notably sharper invariant-mass distribution than the left decay class, and this is due to the effects of daughter tracks crossing in the STAR TPC with the STAR magnetic field anti-parallel to the lab frame's z direction. The opposite pattern is obtained by flipping the sign of the STAR magnetic field or by reconstructing $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons.
The signal polarizations extracted according to the restricted invariant-mass method as a function of $\phi_\Lambda - \phi_p^*$, for positive-rapidity $\Lambda$ hyperons. The sinusoidal behavior is driven by non-zero net $v_1$. The vertical shift corresponds to the vorticity-driven polarization; in collider mode, where the net $v_1$ is zero, this dependence on $\phi_\Lambda - \phi_p^*$ does not exist.
The integrated Global $\Lambda$-hyperon Polarization in mid-central collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=3$ GeV. The trend of increasing $\overline{P}_{\rm H}$ with decreasing $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ is maintained at this low collision energy. Previous experimental results are scaled by the updated $\Lambda$-hyperon decay parameter $\alpha_\Lambda=0.732$ for comparison with this result. Recent model calculations extended to low collision energy show disagreement between our data and AMPT and rough agreement with the 3-Fluid Dynamics (3FD) model. Previous measurements shown alongside our data can be found at: https://www.hepdata.net/record/ins750410?version=2; https://www.hepdata.net/record/ins1510474?version=1; https://www.hepdata.net/record/ins1672785?version=2; https://www.hepdata.net/record/ins1752507?version=2.
The extreme temperatures and energy densities generated by ultra-relativistic collisions between heavy nuclei produce a state of matter with surprising fluid properties. Non-central collisions have angular momentum on the order of 1000$\hbar$, and the resulting fluid may have a strong vortical structure that must be understood to properly describe the fluid. It is also of particular interest because the restoration of fundamental symmetries of quantum chromodynamics is expected to produce novel physical effects in the presence of strong vorticity. However, no experimental indications of fluid vorticity in heavy ion collisions have so far been found. Here we present the first measurement of an alignment between the angular momentum of a non-central collision and the spin of emitted particles, revealing that the fluid produced in heavy ion collisions is by far the most vortical system ever observed. We find that $\Lambda$ and $\overline{\Lambda}$ hyperons show a positive polarization of the order of a few percent, consistent with some hydrodynamic predictions. A previous measurement that reported a null result at higher collision energies is seen to be consistent with the trend of our new observations, though with larger statistical uncertainties. These data provide the first experimental access to the vortical structure of the "perfect fluid" created in a heavy ion collision. They should prove valuable in the development of hydrodynamic models that quantitatively connect observations to the theory of the Strong Force. Our results extend the recent discovery of hydrodynamic spin alignment to the subatomic realm.
Lambda and AntiLambda polarization as a function of collision energy. A 0.8% error on the alpha value used in the paper is corrected in this table. Systematic error bars include those associated with particle identification (negligible), uncertainty in the value of the hyperon decay parameter (2%) and reaction plane resolution (2%) and detector efficiency corrections (4%). The dominant systematic error comes from statistical fluctuations of the estimated combinatoric background under the (anti-)$\Lambda$ mass peak.
Lambda and AntiLambda polarization as a function of collision energy calculated using the new $\alpha_\Lambda=0.732$ updated on PDG2020. Systematic error bars include those associated with particle identification (negligible), uncertainty in the value of the hyperon decay parameter (2%) and reaction plane resolution (2%) and detector efficiency corrections (4%). The dominant systematic error comes from statistical fluctuations of the estimated combinatoric background under the (anti-)$\Lambda$ mass peak.
We study the lepton forward-backward asymmetry AFB and the longitudinal K* polarization FL, as well as an observable P2 derived from them, in the rare decays B->K*l+l-, where l+l- is either e+e- or mu+mu-, using the full sample of 471 million BBbar events collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Babar detector at the PEP-II e+e- collider. We separately fit and report results for the B+->K*+l+l- and B0->K*0l+l- final states, as well as their combination B->K*l+l-, in five disjoint dilepton mass-squared bins. An angular analysis of B+->K*+l+l- decays is presented here for the first time.
$F_L$ angular fit results.
$A_{FB}$ angular fit results.
$P_2$ results with total uncertainties.
The polarization of neutral Cascade and anti-Cascade hyperons produced by 800 GeV/c protons on a BeO target at a fixed targeting angle of 4.8 mrad is measured by the KTeV experiment at Fermilab. Our result of 9.7% for the neutral Cascade polarization shows no significant energy dependence when compared to a result obtained at 400 GeV/c production energy and at twice our targeting angle. The polarization of the neutral anti-Cascade is measured for the first time and found to be consistent with zero. We also examine the dependence of polarization on transverse production momentum.
Measured polarizations as a function of transverse momentum.
Polarization measurements in the A(p, 2p)B reactions on 6Li, 7Li, and 28Si nuclei at a proton-beam energy of 1 GeV were performed in a kinematically complete experiment. By using a two-arm magnetic spectrometer, two secondary protons were recorded in coincidence at asymmetric scattering angles of θ1=15°−26° and θ2=58.6° for residual-nucleus momenta in the range K B=0–150 MeV/c. Either arm of the spectrometer was equipped with polarimeters based on proportional chambers. The data coming from this experiment are analyzed within the distorted-wave impulse approximation. It is shown that the polarization of recoil protons formed at angle θ2 in the interaction featuring a proton from the P shell of the 7Li nucleus can be described under the assumption of an effective intranuclear-proton polarization by using the single-particle shell-model wave function of the nucleus. Our data on the polarizations of the two protons from the reaction (p, 2p) on a 28Si nucleus also suggest the effective polarization of the protons in the D shell of the 28Si nucleus. It is found that, for high recoil-nucleus momenta of K B≥90 MeV/c, the effective polarization of the protons in the P shell of the 6Li nucleus—this polarization was discovered in studying the polarization of recoil protons in the reaction 6Li(p, 2p)5He—cannot be described within the shell model assuming LS coupling. As might have been expected, the polarization of recoil protons knocked out from the S shells of the 6Li and 7Li nuclei comply well with the predictions obtained in the impulse approximation with allowance for the depolarization effect alone.
REACTION WITH THE LI6 P-SHELL PROTON.
REACTION WITH THE LI6 P-SHELL PROTON.
REACTION WITH THE LI6 P-SHELL PROTON.
We report results of the first measurements of Lambda and Antilambda polarization produced in deep inelastic polarized muon scattering on the nucleon. The results are consistent with an expected trend towards positive polarization with increasing x_F. The polarizations of Lambda and Antilambda appear to have opposite signs. A large negative polarization for Lambda at low positive x_F is observed and is not explained by existing models.A possible interpretation is presented.
The measured and corrected (undiluted) polarizations.
The measured and corrected (undiluted) polarizations.
Analyzing powers for p→n→pp(S01)π− were measured at beam energies 353, 404, and 440 MeV by extracting the quasifree process from p→d→pppπ−. Partial wave amplitude analysis yields a significant contribution from the isospin 1, s-wave channel. This contribution is relatively much larger than that expected from theoretical models which have been successful in describing the isospin 1, s-wave channel behavior of pp→ppπ0 cross sections at threshold.
Axis error includes +- 0.0/0.0 contribution (?////).
Axis error includes +- 0.0/0.0 contribution (?////).
Axis error includes +- 0.0/0.0 contribution (?////).
We have measured the xF and PT dependence of the polarization of Λ0 hyperons produced in exclusive final states pp→pΛ0K+π+π−, pp→pΛ0K+π+π−π+π−, pp→pΛ0K+π+π−π+π−π+π−, and pp→pΛ0K+π+π−π+π−π+π−π+π− at 27.5 GeV/ c. We present an empirical parametrization for Λ0 polarization as a function of xF and PT: P=(−0.443±0.037)xFPT for −1≤xF≤1 and 0≤PT≤1.8GeV/c. This parametrization is independent of the final state and provides a good description of the data. We note that the mechanism responsible for Λ0 polarization appears to be independent of the production mechanism.
Result of a linear fit to all the data in the XL and PT region.
Surprisingly large polarizations in hyperon production by unpolarized protons have been known for a long time. The spin dynamics of the production process can be further investigated with polarized beams. Recently, a negative asymmetry AN was found in inclusive Λ0 production with a 200GeV/c transversely polarized proton beam. The depolarization DNN in p↑+p→Λ0+X has been measured with the same beam over a wide xF range and at moderate pT. DNN reaches positive values of about 30% at high xF and pT∼1.0GeV/c. This result shows a sizable spin transfer from the incident polarized proton to the outgoing Λ0.
Errors are statistical only. The systematic errors are estimated to be negligible.
Errors are statistical only. The systematic errors are estimated to be negligible.
Errors are statistical only. The systematic errors are estimated to be negligible.
We present experimental results on measuring a single spin asymmetry in η-meson production in the interaction of transversely polarized protons and antiprotons at p lab = 200 GeV / c with a proton target in the region 0.2 < x F < 0.7 for p ↑ p , 0.3 < x F < 0.7 for p ̄ ↑p and 0.7 < p T < 2.0 GeV / c . A comparison of single spin asymmetries in π- and η-meson production is made.
The true asymmetry for ETA production in proton-proton collisions.
The true asymmetry for ETA production in antiproton-proton collisions.
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