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.
High-statistics measurements of differential cross sections and recoil polarizations for the reaction $\gamma p \rightarrow K^+ \Sigma^0$ have been obtained using the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. We cover center-of-mass energies ($\sqrt{s}$) from 1.69 to 2.84 GeV, with an extensive coverage in the $K^+$ production angle. Independent measurements were made using the $K^{+}p\pi^{-}$($\gamma$) and $K^{+}p$($\pi^-, \gamma$) final-state topologies, and were found to exhibit good agreement. Our differential cross sections show good agreement with earlier CLAS, SAPHIR and LEPS results, while offering better statistical precision and a 300-MeV increase in $\sqrt{s}$ coverage. Above $\sqrt{s} \approx 2.5$ GeV, $t$- and $u$-channel Regge scaling behavior can be seen at forward- and backward-angles, respectively. Our recoil polarization ($P_\Sigma$) measurements represent a substantial increase in kinematic coverage and enhanced precision over previous world data. At forward angles we find that $P_\Sigma$ is of the same magnitude but opposite sign as $P_\Lambda$, in agreement with the static SU(6) quark model prediction of $P_\Sigma \approx -P_\Lambda$. This expectation is violated in some mid- and backward-angle kinematic regimes, where $P_\Sigma$ and $P_\Lambda$ are of similar magnitudes but also have the same signs. In conjunction with several other meson photoproduction results recently published by CLAS, the present data will help constrain the partial wave analyses being performed to search for missing baryon resonances.
Differential cross section as a function of COS(THETA(K+,CM)) for the centre-of mass range 1.69 to 1.7 GeV.
Differential cross section as a function of COS(THETA(K+,CM)) for the centre-of mass range 1.7 to 1.71 GeV.
Differential cross section as a function of COS(THETA(K+,CM)) for the centre-of mass range 1.71 to 1.72 GeV.
Spin transfer from circularly polarized real photons to recoiling hyperons has been measured for the reactions $\vec\gamma + p \to K^+ + \vec\Lambda$ and $\vec\gamma + p \to K^+ + \vec\Sigma^0$. The data were obtained using the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab for center-of-mass energies $W$ between 1.6 and 2.53 GeV, and for $-0.85<\cos\theta_{K^+}^{c.m.}< +0.95$. For the $\Lambda$, the polarization transfer coefficient along the photon momentum axis, $C_z$, was found to be near unity for a wide range of energy and kaon production angles. The associated transverse polarization coefficient, $C_x$, is smaller than $C_z$ by a roughly constant difference of unity. Most significantly, the {\it total} $\Lambda$ polarization vector, including the induced polarization $P$, has magnitude consistent with unity at all measured energies and production angles when the beam is fully polarized. For the $\Sigma^0$ this simple phenomenology does not hold. All existing hadrodynamic models are in poor agreement with these results.
Coefficients Cx and Cz for the reaction GAMMA P --> K+ LAMBDA for incident energy = 1.032 GeV and W = 1.679 GeV.
Coefficients Cx and Cz for the reaction GAMMA P --> K+ LAMBDA for incident energy = 1.132 GeV and W = 1.734 GeV.
Coefficients Cx and Cz for the reaction GAMMA P --> K+ LAMBDA for incident energy = 1.232 GeV and W = 1.787 GeV.
We report measurements of the exclusive electroproduction of $K^+\Lambda$ and $K^+\Sigma^0$ final states from a proton target using the CLAS detector at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. The separated structure functions $\sigma_T$, $\sigma_L$, $\sigma_{TT}$, and $\sigma_{LT}$ were extracted from the $\Phi$- and $\epsilon$-dependent differential cross sections taken with electron beam energies of 2.567, 4.056, and 4.247 GeV. This analysis represents the first $\sigma_L/\sigma_T$ separation with the CLAS detector, and the first measurement of the kaon electroproduction structure functions away from parallel kinematics. The data span a broad range of momentum transfers from $0.5\leq Q^2\leq 2.8$ GeV$^2$ and invariant energy from $1.6\leq W\leq 2.4$ GeV, while spanning nearly the full center-of-mass angular range of the kaon. The separated structure functions reveal clear differences between the production dynamics for the $\Lambda$ and $\Sigma^0$ hyperons. These results provide an unprecedented data sample with which to constrain current and future models for the associated production of strangeness, which will allow for a better understanding of the underlying resonant and non-resonant contributions to hyperon production.
Cross sections for incident energy 2.567 GeV for the Q**2 range 0.5 to 0.8 GeV**2 and W range 1.6 to 1.7 GeV.
Cross sections for incident energy 2.567 GeV for the Q**2 range 0.5 to 0.8 GeV**2 and W range 1.70 to 1.75 GeV.
Cross sections for incident energy 2.567 GeV for the Q**2 range 0.5 to 0.8 GeV**2 and W range 1.75 to 1.80 GeV.
Reaction K−p→π0π0Λ was measured at eight incident K− momenta between 514 and 750MeV∕c using the Crystal Ball multiphoton spectrometer. The reaction dynamics are displayed in total cross sections, Dalitz plots, invariant-mass spectra, production angular distributions, and the Λ polarization. The π0π0Λ production is dominated by the π0Σ0(1385) intermediate state; no trace of other light Σ∗ states is observed, and the role of the f0(600) meson appears to be insignificant. A striking similarity is seen between K−p→π0π0Λ and π−p→π0π0n; this can be understood as a consequence of dynamical flavor symmetry.
Measured cross section. Statistical errors only.
Differential cross section for the di-pion system in the c.m. system for incident momenta 514 to 629 MeV.
Differential cross section for the di-pion system in the c.m. system for incident momenta 659 to 750 MeV.
The analyzing powers of π+ and π− were measured using an incident 22−GeV/c transversely polarized proton beam at the Brookhaven Alternating Gradient Synchrotron. A magnetic spectrometer measured π± inclusive asymmetries on a hydrogen and a carbon target. An elastic polarimeter with a CH2 target measured pp elastic-scattering asymmetries to determine the beam polarization using published data for the pp elastic analyzing power. Using the beam polarization determined from the elastic polarimeter and asymmetries from the inclusive spectrometer, analyzing powers AN for π± were determined in the xF and pT ranges (0.45–0.8) and (0.3–1.2 GeV/c), respectively. The analyzing power results are similar in both sign and character to other measurements at 200 and 11.7 GeV/c, confirming the expectation that high-energy pion inclusive analyzing powers remain large and relatively energy independent. This suggests that pion inclusive polarimetry may be a suitable method for measuring future beam polarizations at BNL RHIC or DESY HERA. Analyzing powers of π+ and π− produced on hydrogen and carbon targets are the same. Various models to explain inclusive analyzing powers are also discussed.
Analyzing power measurements for PI+ and PI- production on the carbon target at incident momentum 21.6 GeV. See text of article for definitions of method 'A' and 'B'.
Analyzing power measurements for inclusive PI- production from the hydrogen target.
Analyzing power measurements for inclusive PI+ production from the hydrogen target.
Measurements at 18 beam kinetic energies between 1975 and 2795 MeV and at 795 MeV are reported for the pp elastic scattering spin correlation parameter A00nn=(N,N;0,0)=CNN=ANN. The c.m. angular range is typically 60°-100°. These results are compared to previous data from Saturne II and other accelerators. A search for energy-dependent structure at fixed c.m. angles is performed. Comparisons are made to phase shift analysis and theoretical model predictions of this spin observable.
Measured values of CNN at EKIN 795 Mev.. Fractional systematic uncertainty in the absolute beam and target polarization is +-0.032.
Measured values of CNN at EKIN 1975 Mev.. Fractional systematic uncertainty in the absolute beam and target polarization is +-0.052.
Measured values of CNN at EKIN 2035 Mev (from run period III).. Fractional systematic uncertainty in the absolute beam and target polarization is +-0.051.
We present measurements of the differential and total cross sections and the Λ polarization for the reaction K−p→ηΛ from threshold to pK−=770MeV/c, with much better precision than previous measurements. Our cross-section data show a remarkable similarity to the SU(3) flavor-related π−p→ηn cross-section results. The reaction K−p→ηΛ at threshold is dominated by formation of the intermediate Λ(1670)12− state.
Total cross section measurement for K- P --> ETA LAMBDA. Errors shown are statistical only.
Differential cross sections DSIG/DOMEGA for K- P --> ETA LAMBDA. Errors shown are statistical only.
Differential cross sections DSIG/DOMEGA for K- P --> ETA LAMBDA. Errors shown are statistical only.
Measurements at 19 beam kinetic energies between 1795 and 2235 MeV are reported for the pp elastic scattering spin correlation parameter A00nn=ANN=CNN. The c.m. angular range is typically 60–100°. The measurements were performed at Saturne II with a vertically polarized beam and target (transverse to the beam direction and scattering plane), a magnetic spectrometer and a recoil detector, both instrumented with multiwire proportional chambers, and beam polarimeters. These results are compared to previous data from Saturne II and elsewhere.
Measured values of CNN at EKIN 1795 Mev.. Fractional systematic uncertainty in the absolute beam and target polarization is +-0.110.
Measured values of CNN at EKIN 1845 Mev.. Fractional systematic uncertainty in the absolute beam and target polarization is +-0.073.
Measured values of CNN at EKIN 1935 Mev.. Fractional systematic uncertainty in the absolute beam and target polarization is +-0.095.
Measurements at 18 beam kinetic energies between 1975 and 2795 MeV and at 795 MeV are reported for the pp elastic-scattering single spin parameter Aooon=Aoono=AN=P. The c.m. angular range is typically 60–100°. These results are compared to previous data from Saturne II and other accelerators. A search for energy-dependent structure at fixed c.m. angles is performed, but no rapid changes are observed.
Measured values of the P P analysing power at kinetic energy 0.795 GeV. Therelative and additive systematic errors are +- 0.018 and 0.0007.
Measured values of the P P analysing power at kinetic energy 1.975 GeV. Therelative and additive systematic errors are +- 0.045 and 0.002.
Measured values of the P P analysing power at kinetic energy 2.035 GeV fromrun I. The relative and additive systematic errors are +- 0.044 and 0.002.
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