Extracting the depolarization coefficient D_NN from data measured with a full acceptance detector

TL;DR

This paper derives a formula to extract the depolarization coefficient D_NN from data collected with a full acceptance detector, enabling accurate measurement of hyperon polarization transfer in proton-proton collisions.

Contribution

It provides a general formula for D_NN extraction applicable to 4 pi detectors, extending previous formulas limited to restricted acceptance detectors.

Findings

Derived a comprehensive formula for D_NN using 4 pi detector data

Showed previous restricted acceptance formulas are special cases of this general formula

Facilitated more accurate hyperon polarization measurements in proton-proton collisions

Abstract

The spin transfer from vertically polarized beam protons to Lambda or Sigma hyperons of the associated strangeness production pp -> pK Lambda (Sigma) is described with the depolarization coefficient D_NN. As the polarization of the hyperons is determined by their weak decays, detectors, which have a large acceptance for the decay particles, are needed. In this paper a formula is derived, which describes the depolarization coefficient D_NN by count rates of a 4 pi detector. It is shown, that formulas, which are given in publications for detectors with restricted acceptance, are specific cases of this formula for a 4 pi detector.