Polarization ofΛ0Hyperons in Inclusive Production by 12-GeV Protons on Tungsten

Abstract

The authors have measured the polarization of 2.4×${10}^5$ ${\Lambda }^0$ hyperons in inclusive production by 12-GeV protons on tungsten at three production angles, 3.5°, 6.5°, and 9.5°. In terms of Feynman's $x_{\mathrm{F}}$ and transverse momentum of ${\Lambda }^0$, the kinematical range is $0.3<~x_{\mathrm{F}}<~0.8$ and $0.4<~p_{\mathrm{T}}<~1.6$ GeV/c. The observed polarization does not depend strongly on $x_{\mathrm{F}}$ and increases linearly with $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ to 16% at $p_{\mathrm{T}}=1.0\mathrm{}$ GeV/c, showing a tendency to level off above that point.