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.
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.
A single-spin asymmetry in the inclusive π 0 production at small x F was measured. In the experiment 40 GeV/c π − mesons were incident on transversely polarized protons and deutrons. An asymmetry of (40–50)% has been revealed in the hard scattering region.
No description provided.
None
No description provided.
No description provided.
No description provided.
None
No description provided.
No description provided.
No description provided.
We present results on the inclusive polarization of Λ hyperons produced in K + p interactions at 32 and 70 GeV/ c . A large positive Λ polarization is observed in the kaon fragmentation region. The polarization is energy independent, increases strongly with increasing x , but shows essentially no p T -dependence.
.
.
.
Forum