A measurement of Λ polarization in inclusive production by Σ- of 340 GeV/c in C and Cu targets Article uri icon

abstract

  • We have measured the polarization of Λ hyperons produced inclusively by a Σ- beam of 340 GeV/c momentum in nuclear targets. From a sample of 9.5 millions of identified Λ decays, polarizations were determined in the range xF > 0.1 and p t < 1.6 GeV/c. The polarization w.r.t. the production normal is mainly positive for xF ≥ 0.3. At fixed values of xF, it increases with pt to a maximum between pt=0.5 and pt=1 GeV/c, and then decreases to zero or even negative values, in sharp contrast to the plateau above pt=1 GeV/c observed in inclusive A production by protons.

authors

publication date

  • 2004-01-01