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.
The exclusive electroproduction of J/psi mesons, ep->epJ/psi, has been studied with the ZEUS detector at HERA for virtualities of the exchanged photon in the ranges 0.15<Q^2<0.8 GeV^2 and 2<Q^2<100 GeV^2 using integrated luminosities of 69 pb^-1 and 83 pb^-1, respectively.The photon-proton centre-of-mass energy was in the range 30<W<220 GeV and the squared four-momentum transfer at the proton vertex |t|<1.The cross sections and decay angular distributions are presented as functions of Q^2, W and t. The effective parameters of the Pomeron trajectory are in agreement with those found in J/psi photoproduction. The spin-density matrix elements, calculated from the decay angular distributions, are consistent with the hypothesis of s-channel helicity conservation. The ratio of the longitudinal to transverse cross sections, sigma_L/sigma_T, grows with Q^2, whilst no dependence on W or t is observed. The results are in agreement with perturbative QCD calculations and exhibit a strong sensitivity to the gluon distribution in the proton.
Cross sections for exclusive J/PSI production as a function of W in the Q**2 region 0.15 to 0.18 GeV**2.
Cross sections for exclusive J/PSI production as a function of W in the Q**2 region 2 to 5 GeV**2.
Cross sections for exclusive J/PSI production as a function of W in the Q**2 region 5 to 10 GeV**2.
Results are presented from data recorded in 2009 by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider for the double-longitudinal spin asymmetry, $A_{LL}$, for $\pi^0$ and $\eta$ production in $\sqrt{s} = 200$ GeV polarized $p$$+$$p$ collisions. Comparison of the $\pi^0$ results with different theory expectations based on fits of other published data showed a preference for small positive values of gluon polarization, $\Delta G$, in the proton in the probed Bjorken $x$ range. The effect of adding the new 2009 \pz data to a recent global analysis of polarized scattering data is also shown, resulting in a best fit value $\Delta G^{[0.05,0.2]}_{\mbox{DSSV}} = 0.06^{+0.11}_{-0.15}$ in the range $0.05<x<0.2$, with the uncertainty at $\Delta \chi^2 = 9$ when considering only statistical experimental uncertainties. Shifting the PHENIX data points by their systematic uncertainty leads to a variation of the best-fit value of $\Delta G^{[0.05,0.2]}_{\mbox{DSSV}}$ between $0.02$ and $0.12$, demonstrating the need for full treatment of the experimental systematic uncertainties in future global analyses.
PI0 ASYM(LL) measurements from 2005.
PI0 ASYM(LL) measurements from 2006.
PI0 ASYM(LL) measurements from 2009.
Cross sections for elastic production of J/Psi mesons in photoproduction and electroproduction are measured in electron proton collisions at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 55 pb^{-1}. Results are presented for photon virtualities Q^2 up to 80 GeV^2. The dependence on the photon-proton centre of mass energy W_{gamma p} is analysed in the range 40 < \Wgp < 305 GeV in photoproduction and 40 < \Wgp < 160 GeV in electroproduction. The \Wgp dependences of the cross sections do not change significantly with Q^2 and can be described by models based on perturbative QCD. Within such models, the data show a high sensitivity to the gluon density of the proton in the domain of low Bjorken x and low Q^2. Differential cross sections d\sigma/dt, where t is the squared four-momentum transfer at the proton vertex, are measured in the range |t|<1.2 GeV^2 as functions of \Wgp and Q^2. Effective Pomeron trajectories are determined for photoproduction and electroproduction. The J/Psi production and decay angular distributions are consistent with s-channel helicity conservation. The ratio of the cross sections for longitudinally and transversely polarised photons is measured as a function of Q^2 and is found to be described by perturbative QCD based models.
Cross section for elastic J/PSI photoproduction in Q**2 bins for W = 90 GeV and ABS(T) < 1.2 GeV**2.
Cross section for elastic J/PSI photoproduction in W bins for ABS(T) < 1.2 GeV**2 and Q**2 < 1 GeV**2.. There are two cross sections for the 205 to 235 GeV bin due to overlapping data sets. The mean is 151 +- 8 (DSYS=20) nb.
Cross section for elastic J/PSI photoproduction as a function of W in Q**2 bins for ABS(T) < 1.2 GeV**2.
Elements of the spin density matrix for W bosons in e+e- -> W+W- -> qqln events are measured from data recorded by the OPAL detector at LEP. This information is used calculate polarised differential cross-sections and to search for CP-violating effects. Results are presented for W bosons produced in e+e- collisions with centre-of-mass energies between 183 GeV and 209 GeV. The average fraction of W bosons that are longitudinally polarised is found to be (23.9 +- 2.1 +- 1.1)% compared to a Standard Model prediction of (23.9 +- 0.1)%. All results are consistent with CP conservation.
The fraction of longitudinal polarization for leptonically and hadronically decaying W bosons. The average values for all the centre of mass energies and for both lepton and hadron decay combined are also given.
The luminosity weighted average over all the centre of mass energies of the diagonal elements of the RHO++ and RHO-- SDM as a function of the cosine of the angle of the W- boson for the leptonic decay channel.
The luminosity weighted average over all the centre of mass energies of the diagonal element of the RHO00 SDM as a function of the cosine of the angle of the W- boson for both leptonic and hadronic decay channels, and combined.
The diffractive photoproduction of J/psi mesons is measured with the H1 detector at the ep collider HERA using an integrated luminosity of 78 pb^-1. The differential cross section d sigma(gamma p -> J/psi Y) / d t is studied in the range 2 < |t| < 30 GeV^2, where t is the square of the four-momentum transferred at the proton vertex. The cross section is also presented as a function of the photon-proton centre-of-mass energy W in three t intervals, spanning the range 50 < W < 200 GeV. A fast rise of the cross section with W is observed for each t range and the slope for the effective linear Pomeron trajectory is measured to be alpha^\prime= -0.0135 \pm 0.0074 (stat.) \pm 0.0051 (syst.) GeV^-2. The measurements are compared with perturbative QCD models based on BFKL and DGLAP evolution. The data are found to be compatible with s-channel helicity conservation.
The differential photoproduction cross section DSIG/DT for diffractive J/PSI production.
The J/PSI photoproduction cross section as a function of W for the ABS(T) range 2 to 5 GeV**2.
The J/PSI photoproduction cross section as a function of W for the ABS(T) range 5 to 10 GeV**2.
Exclusive electroproduction of rho^0 mesons has been measured using the ZEUS detector at HERA in two Q^2 ranges, 0.25<Q^2<0.85 GeV^2 and 3<Q^2<30 GeV^2. The low-Q^2 data span the range 20<W<90 GeV; the high-Q^2 data cover the 40<W<120 GeV interval. Both samples extend up to four-momentum transfers of |t|=0.6 GeV^2. The distribution in the azimuthal angle between the positron scattering plane and the rho^0 production plane shows a small but significant violation of s-channel helicity conservation, corresponding to the production of longitudinally polarised (i.e. helicity zero) rho^0 mesons from transverse photons. Measurements of the 15 combinations of spin-density matrix elements which completely define the angular distributions are presented and discussed.
The spin-density matrix elements obtained from the BPC low Q**2 data set.
The spin-density matrix elements obtained from the DIS high Q**2 data set.
The spin-density matrix elements obtained from the low Q**2 BPC data set in two W intervals.
The helicity structure of the diffractive electroproduction of rho mesons, e + p -> e + rho + Y, is studied in a previously unexplored region of large four-momentum transfer squared at the proton vertex, t: 0 < t' < 3 GeV^2, where t' = |t| - |t|_min. The data used are collected with the H1 detector at HERA in the kinematic domain 2.5 < Q^2 < 60 GeV^2, 40 < W < 120 GeV. No t dependence of the r^04_00 spin density matrix element is found. A significant t dependent helicity non-conservation from the virtual photon to the rho meson is observed for the spin density matrix element combinations r^5_00+2r^5_11 and r^1_00+2r^1_11. These t dependences are consistently described by a perturbative QCD model based on the exchange of two gluons.
Measurements of the combinations of spin density matrices as a function of TP = |T| - |Tmin|, where |Tmin| is the minimal values of |T| kinematically required for the vector meson and the system X to aquire their effective mass through longitudinal momentum transfer.
Diffractive photoproduction of vector mesons, gamma p --> V Y, where Y is a proton-dissociative system, has been measured in ep interactions with the ZEUS detector at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 25 pb^-1. The differential cross section, ds/dt, is presented for -t<12 GeV^2, where t is the square of the four-momentum transferred to the vector meson. The data span the range in photon-proton centre-of-mass energy, W, from 80 GeV to 120 GeV. The t distributions are well fit by a power law, ds/dt ~ (-t)^{-n}. The slope of the Pomeron trajectory, measured from the W dependence of the rho^0 and phi cross sections in bins of t, is consistent with zero. The ratios ds_(gamma p --> phi Y)/dt to ds_(gamma p --> rho^0 Y)/dt and ds_(gamma p --> J/psi Y)/dt to ds_(gamma p --> rho^0 Y)/dt increase with increasing -t. Decay-angle analyses for rho^0, phi and J/psi mesons have been carried out. For the rho^0 and phi mesons, contributions from single and double helicity flip are observed. The results are compared to expectations of theoretical models.
Differential cross section for RHO0 production. The second DSYS error is due to the modelling of the proton-dissociation process.
Differential cross section for PHI production. The second DSYS error is due to the modelling of the proton-dissociation process.
Differential cross section for J/PSI production. The second DSYS error is due to the modelling of the proton-dissociation process.
The exclusive photoproduction of J/psi mesons, gamma p->J/psi p, has been studied in ep collisions with the ZEUS detector at HERA, in the kinematic range 20<W<290 GeV, where W is the photon-proton centre-of-mass energy. The J/psi mesons were reconstructed in the muon and the electron decay channels using integrated luminosities of 38 pb^-1 and 55 pb^-1, respectively. The helicity structure of J/psi production shows that the hypothesis of s-channel helicity conservation is satisfied at the two standard-deviation level. The total cross section and the differential cross-section dsigma/dt, where t is the squared four-momentum transfer at the proton vertex, are presented as a function of W, for |t|<1.8 GeV^2. The t distribution exhibits an exponential shape with a slope parameter increasing logarithmically with W with a value b=4.15 \pm 0.05 (stat.)^{+0.30}_{-0.18} (syst.) GeV^-2 at W=90 GeV. The effective parameters of the Pomeron trajectory are alphapom(0) = 1.200 \pm 0.009(stat.)^{+0.004}_{-0.010}(syst.) and alphappom= 0.115 \pm 0.018(stat.)^{+0.008}_{-0.015}(syst.) GeV^-2.
The total exclusive J/PSI photoproduction cross section, the differential cross section extrapolated to t=0 and the slope parameter of the exponential t dependence as afunction of W, the photon-proton c.m. energy, for data from J/PSI muon decay.
The total exclusive J/PSI photoproduction cross section as a function of W,the photon-proton c.m. energy, for data from J/PSI electron decays.
The differential cross section extrapolated to t=0 and the slope parameter of the exponential t dependence for exclusive J/PSI photoproduction as a function of W, the photon-proton c.m. energy for data from J/PSI electron decays.
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