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Global $\Lambda$ hyperon polarization in nuclear collisions: evidence for the most vortical fluid

The STAR collaboration Adamczyk, L. ; Adkins, J.K. ; Agakishiev, G. ; et al.
Nature 548 (2017) 62-65, 2017.
Inspire Record 1510474 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.77494

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.

2 data tables

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.


Photon asymmetry measurements of $\overrightarrow{\gamma} \mathrm{p} \rightarrow \pi^{0} \mathrm{p}$ for E$_{\gamma}$=320$-$650 MeV

The MAINZ-A2 collaboration Gardner, S. ; Howdle, D. ; Sikora, M.H. ; et al.
Eur.Phys.J.A 52 (2016) 333, 2016.
Inspire Record 1472369 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.129289

High statistics measurements of the photon asymmetry $\mathrm{\Sigma}$ for the $\overrightarrow{\gamma}$p$\rightarrow\pi^{0}$p reaction have been made in the center of mass energy range W=1214-1450 MeV. The data were measured with the MAMI A2 real photon beam and Crystal Ball/TAPS detector systems in Mainz, Germany. The results significantly improve the existing world data and are shown to be in good agreement with previous measurements, and with the MAID, SAID, and Bonn-Gatchina predictions. We have also combined the photon asymmetry results with recent cross-section measurements from Mainz to calculate the profile functions, $\check{\mathrm{\Sigma}}$ (= $\sigma_{0}\mathrm{\Sigma}$), and perform a moment analysis. Comparison with calculations from the Bonn-Gatchina model shows that the precision of the data is good enough to further constrain the higher partial waves, and there is an indication of interference between the very small $F$-waves and the $N(1520) 3/2^{-}$ and $N(1535) 1/2^{-}$ resonances.

35 data tables

Photon beam asymmetry Sigma at W=1.2159988 GeV

Photon beam asymmetry Sigma at W=1.2194968 GeV

Photon beam asymmetry Sigma at W=1.2225014 GeV

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T and F asymmetries in $π^0$ photoproduction on the proton

The A2 & MAMI collaborations Annand, J.R.M. ; Arends, H.J. ; Beck, R. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 93 (2016) 055209, 2016.
Inspire Record 1466854 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.116551

The γp→π0p reaction was studied at laboratory photon energies from 425 to 1445 MeV with a transversely polarized target and a longitudinally polarized beam. The beam-target asymmetry F was measured for the first time and new high precision data for the target asymmetry T were obtained. The experiment was performed at the photon tagging facility of the Mainz Microtron (MAMI) using the Crystal Ball and TAPS photon spectrometers. The polarized cross sections were expanded in terms of associated Legendre functions and compared to recent predictions from several partial-wave analyses. The impact of the new data on our understanding of the underlying partial-wave amplitudes and baryon resonance contributions is discussed.

0 data tables

Measurement of Angular Asymmetries in the Decays B->K*l+l-

The BaBar collaboration Lees, J.P. ; Poireau, V. ; Tisserand, V. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.D 93 (2016) 052015, 2016.
Inspire Record 1391152 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.75484

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.

3 data tables

$F_L$ angular fit results.

$A_{FB}$ angular fit results.

$P_2$ results with total uncertainties.


Accurate Test of Chiral Dynamics in the \boldmath$\gamma p \rightarrow \pi^0p$ Reaction

The A2 & CB-TAPS collaborations Hornidge, D. ; Aguar Bartolome, P. ; Annand, J.R.M. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Lett. 111 (2013) 062004, 2013.
Inspire Record 1203736 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.127967

A precision measurement of the differential cross sections $d\sigma/d\Omega$ and the linearly polarized photon asymmetry $\Sigma \equiv (d\sigma_\perp - d\sigma_\parallel) \slash (d\sigma_\perp + d\sigma_\parallel)$ for the $\vec{\gamma} p \rightarrow \pi^0p$ reaction in the near-threshold region has been performed with a tagged photon beam and almost $4\pi$ detector at the Mainz Microtron. The Glasgow-Mainz photon tagging facility along with the Crystal Ball/TAPS multi-photon detector system and a cryogenic liquid hydrogen target were used. These data allowed for a precise determination of the energy dependence of the real parts of the $S$- and all three $P$-wave amplitudes for the first time and provide the most stringent test to date of the predictions of Chiral Perturbation Theory and its energy region of agreement with experiment.

0 data tables

Differential cross sections and recoil polarizations for the reaction gamma p -> K+ Sigma0

The CLAS collaboration Dey, B. ; Meyer, C.A. ; Bellis, M. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 82 (2010) 025202, 2010.
Inspire Record 857728 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.55696

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.

149 data tables

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.

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Differential cross section and recoil polarization measurements for the gamma p to K+ Lambda reaction using CLAS at Jefferson Lab

The CLAS collaboration McCracken, M.E. ; Bellis, M. ; Meyer, C.A. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 81 (2010) 025201, 2010.
Inspire Record 840934 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.54967

We present measurements of the differential cross section and Lambda recoil polarization for the gamma p to K+ Lambda reaction made using the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. These measurements cover the center-of-mass energy range from 1.62 to 2.84 GeV and a wide range of center-of-mass K+ production angles. Independent analyses were performed using the K+ p pi- and K+ p (missing pi -) final-state topologies/ results from these analyses were found to exhibit good agreement. These differential cross section measurements show excellent agreement with previous CLAS and LEPS results and offer increased precision and a 300 MeV increase in energy coverage. The recoil polarization data agree well with previous results and offer a large increase in precision and a 500 MeV extension in energy range. The increased center-of-mass energy range that these data represent will allow for independent study of non-resonant K+ Lambda photoproduction mechanisms at all production angles.

241 data tables

Differential cross section as a function of COS(THETA(K)) for the centre-of-mass range 1.62-1.63 GeV.

Differential cross section as a function of COS(THETA(K)) for the centre-of-mass range 1.63-1.64 GeV.

Differential cross section as a function of COS(THETA(K)) for the centre-of-mass range 1.64-1.65 GeV.

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Electroproduction of $\phi(1020)$ mesons at $1.4\leq Q^2\leq$ 3.8 GeV$^2$ measured with the CLAS spectrometer

The CLAS collaboration Santoro, J.P. ; Smith, E.S. ; Garc con, M. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 78 (2008) 025210, 2008.
Inspire Record 781974 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.50913

Electroproduction of exclusive $\phi$ vector mesons has been studied with the CLAS detector in the kinematical range $1.6\leq Q^2\leq 3.8$ GeV$^{2}$, $0.0\leq t^{\prime}\leq 3.6$ GeV$^{2}$, and $2.0\leq W\leq 3.0$ GeV. The scaling exponent for the total cross section as $1/(Q^2+M_{\phi}^2)^n$ was determined to be $n=2.49\pm 0.33$. The slope of the four-momentum transfer $t'$ distribution is $b_{\phi}=0.98 \pm 0.17$ GeV$^{-2}$. The data are consistent with the assumption of s-channel helicity conservation (SCHC). Under this assumption, we determine the ratio of longitudinal to transverse cross sections to be $R=0.86 \pm 0.24$. A 2-gluon exchange model is able to reproduce the main features of the data.

5 data tables

Axis error includes +- 18.6/18.6 contribution.

Axis error includes +- 18.6/18.6 contribution.

Axis error includes +- 18.6/18.6 contribution.

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First measurement of beam-recoil observables C(x) and C(z) in hyperon photoproduction.

The CLAS collaboration Bradford, R.K. ; Schumacher, R.A. ; Adams, G. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 75 (2007) 035205, 2007.
Inspire Record 732402 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.31496

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.

34 data tables

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.

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Separated structure functions for the exclusive electroproduction of K+ Lambda and K+ Sigma0 final states.

The CLAS collaboration Ambrozewicz, P. ; Carman, D.S. ; Feuerbach, R.J. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.C 75 (2007) 045203, 2007.
Inspire Record 732363 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.4994

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.

531 data tables

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.

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