In relativistic heavy-ion collisions, a global spin polarization, $P_\mathrm{H}$, of $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons along the direction of the system angular momentum was discovered and measured across a broad range of collision energies and demonstrated a trend of increasing $P_\mathrm{H}$ with decreasing $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$. A splitting between $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ polarization may be possible due to their different magnetic moments in a late-stage magnetic field sustained by the quark-gluon plasma which is formed in the collision. The results presented in this study find no significant splitting at the collision energies of $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=19.6$ and $27$ GeV in the RHIC Beam Energy Scan Phase II using the STAR detector, with an upper limit of $P_{\bar{\Lambda}}-P_{\Lambda}<0.24$% and $P_{\bar{\Lambda}}-P_{\Lambda}<0.35$%, respectively, at a 95% confidence level. We derive an upper limit on the na\"ive extraction of the late-stage magnetic field of $B<9.4\cdot10^{12}$ T and $B<1.4\cdot10^{13}$ T at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=19.6$ and $27$ GeV, respectively, although more thorough derivations are needed. Differential measurements of $P_\mathrm{H}$ were performed with respect to collision centrality, transverse momentum, and rapidity. With our current acceptance of $|y|<1$ and uncertainties, we observe no dependence on transverse momentum and rapidity in this analysis. These results challenge multiple existing model calculations following a variety of different assumptions which have each predicted a strong dependence on rapidity in this collision-energy range.
The first-order event-plane resolution determined by the STAR EPD as a function of collision centrality is roughly doubled in comparison to previous analyses using the STAR BBC. We see $R_{\rm EP}^{(1)}$ peak for mid-central collisions.
The mid-central $P_{\rm H}$ measurements reported in this work are shown alongside previous measurements in the upper panel, and are consistent with previous measurements at the energies studied here. The difference between integrated $P_{\bar{\Lambda}}$ and $P_{\Lambda}$ is shown at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}}$=19.6 and 27 GeV alongside previous measurements in the lower panel. The splittings observed with these high-statistics data sets are consistent with zero. Statistical uncertainties are represented as lines while systematic uncertainties are represented as boxes. The previous $P_{\bar{\Lambda}}-P_{\Lambda}$ result at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=7.7$ GeV is outside the axis range, but is consistent with zero within $2\sigma$.
$P_{\rm H}$ measurements are shown as a function of collision centrality at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$=19.6 and 27 GeV. Statistical uncertainties are represented as lines while systematic uncertainties are represented as boxes. $P_{\rm H}$ increases with collision centrality at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$=19.6 and 27 GeV, as expected from an angular-momentum-driven phenomenon.
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.
Exclusive electroproduction of $\omega$ mesons on unpolarized hydrogen and deuterium targets is studied in the kinematic region of Q$^2$>1.0 GeV$^2$, 3.0 GeV < W < 6.3 GeV, and -t'< 0.2 GeV$^2$. Results on the angular distribution of the $\omega$ meson, including its decay products, are presented. The data were accumulated with the HERMES forward spectrometer during the 1996-2007 running period using the 27.6 GeV longitudinally polarized electron or positron beam of HERA. The determination of the virtual-photon longitudinal-to-transverse cross-section ratio reveals that a considerable part of the cross section arises from transversely polarized photons. Spin density matrix elements are presented in projections of Q$^2$ or -t'. Violation of s-channel helicity conservation is observed for some of these elements. A sizable contribution from unnatural-parity-exchange amplitudes is found and the phase shift between those amplitudes that describe transverse $\omega$ production by longitudinal and transverse virtual photons, $\gamma^{*}_{L} \to \omega_{T}$ and $\gamma^{*}_{T} \to \omega_{T}$, is determined for the first time. A hierarchy of helicity amplitudes is established, which mainly means that the unnatural-parity-exchange amplitude describing the $\gamma^*_T \to \omega_T$ transition dominates over the two natural-parity-exchange amplitudes describing the $\gamma^*_L \to \omega_L$ and $\gamma^*_T \to \omega_T$ transitions, with the latter two being of similar magnitude. Good agreement is found between the HERMES proton data and results of a pQCD-inspired phenomenological model that includes pion-pole contributions, which are of unnatural parity.
The 23 unpolarized and polarized $\omega$ SDMEs from the proton and deuteron data.
The 23 unpolarized and polarized $\omega$ SDMEs for the proton data in $Q^2$ intervals: $1.00 - 1.57 - 2.55 - 10.00$ GeV$^2$.
The 23 unpolarized and polarized $\omega$ SDMEs for the proton data in $-t'$ intervals: $0.000 - 0.044 - 0.105 - 0.200$ GeV$^2$.
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.
A nonzero difference of the analyzing powers due to charge symmetry breaking has been measured with high precision in np elastic scattering at a neutron beam energy of 347 MeV. The neutron beam and proton target were alternately polarized for the measurements of An and Ap. A mirror-symmetric detection system was used to cancel geometry-related systematic errors. From fits of the measured asymmetry angular distributions over the range of 53.4°<~θcm<~86.9°, the difference in the zero-crossing angles of the analyzing powers was determined to be 0.438°±0.054°(stat.)±0.051°(syst.) in the center-of-mass system. Using the experimentally determined slope of the analyzing power dA/dθ=(−1.35±0.05)×10−2 deg−1 (c.m.), this is equivalent to ΔA≡An−Ap=[59±7(stat.)±7(syst.)±2(syst.)]×10−4. The shape of ΔA(θ) in the vicinity of the zero-crossing angle has also been extracted. Predictions of nucleon-nucleon interaction models based on meson exchange agree well with the results.
(C=N) or (C=P) stands for polarized beam or target.
The angles at which the n-p elastic scattering neutron analyzing power A00n0 crosses zero were measured with precision at four TRIUMF energies below 300 MeV. The mean interaction energies are also measured with greater precision than in previous experiments. The results are En=175.26±0.23 MeV, θzx=98.48°±0.28°; En=203.15±0.20 MeV, θzx=91.31°±0.18°; En=217.24±0.19 MeV, θzx=87.64°±0.18°; and En=261.00±0.16 MeV, θzx=80.18°±0.19°. After correction for charge symmetry breaking effects, the energy where the averaged neutron-proton analyzing power crosses zero at θzx=90° is found to be En=206.8±0.6 MeV. © 1996 The American Physical Society.
Polarized beam and target.
Polarized beam and target.
Polarized beam and target.
We have measured the polarization of Λ and Λ hyperons produced by 800 GeV protons on a Be target at a fixed targeting angle of 4.8 mrad. Comparison with previous data at 400 GeV production energy and twice the targeting angle shows no significant energy dependence for the Λ polarization. This is in striking contrast to the energy dependence found for σ + and Ξ − polarizations. We find no evidence for Λ polarization at 800 GeV.
Errors are combined statistics and systematics.
No description provided.
We have measured the polarization of D*, the energy dependence of the polarization, and the spin-density matrix of D* in e+e− annihilation at a center-of-mass energy of 29 GeV using the Time Projection Chamber detector at the SLAC storage ring PEP. In 147 pb−1 of data we see no strong evidence for polarization, alignment, or final-state interactions in this fragmentation process.
Polarization is the factor alpha(z) in the expression d width (D*-->D pi)/domega = C(1+alpha(z)cos(theta)**2).
Spin density matrices for D* --> D0 pi+.
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