Polarization probes of vorticity in heavy ion collisions
Abstract
We discuss the information that can be deduced from a measurement of particle (hyperon or vector meson) polarization in ultrarelativistic nuclear collisions. We describe the sensitivity of polarization to initial conditions, hydrodynamic evolution and mean free path, and find that the polarization observable is sensitive to all details and stages of the system's evolution. We suggest that an experimental investigation covering production plane and reaction plane polarizations, as well as the polarization of jet-associated particles in the plane defined by the jet and particle direction, can help in disentangling the factors contributing to this observable. Scans of polarization in energy and rapidity might also point to a change in the system's properties.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.0708.0035,
title = {Polarization probes of vorticity in heavy ion collisions},
author = {Barbara Betz and Miklos Gyulassy and Giorgio Torrieri},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0708.0035},
year = {2008}
}
Comments
In press, Phys.Rev.C. One new figure, text streamlined and edited, physics conclusions and reasoning not changed