On the interpretation of $Λ$ spin polarization measurements

The physics interpretation of the recent measurements of the spin polarization of $Λ$ hyperons produced in relativistic heavy-ion collisions is discussed. We suggest that the polarization measured in the $Λ$ rest frame should be projected along the direction of the total angular momentum that is first transformed to the same frame, and only then averaged over $Λ$'s with different momenta in the center-of-mass frame. While this procedure does not affect the current measurements done in a broad transverse-momentum range, it may become important (represent a correction of about 10\%) for the most energetic hyperons under study (with transverse momenta reaching 4-5 GeV/c). The proposed treatment is generally more appropriate for relativistic $Λ$'s. Throughout the paper, we deliver explicit expressions for various boosts, rotations, and transformations of angular distributions, which may help to compare model predictions with the experimental results.

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