Spin polarization of $\Lambda$ hyperons along beam direction in p+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=8.16$ TeV using hydrodynamic approaches

TL;DR

This study uses hydrodynamic models to analyze the spin polarization of Lambda hyperons in p+Pb collisions at 8.16 TeV, revealing discrepancies with experimental data and suggesting additional effects are involved.

Contribution

First application of 3+1D hydrodynamics with quantum kinetic theory to Lambda spin polarization in p+Pb collisions at LHC energies, exploring multiple equilibrium scenarios.

Findings

Thermal vorticity and shear-induced polarizations have opposite effects.

Hydrodynamic model predictions do not match CMS experimental data.

Non-flow effects may significantly influence observed polarization.

Abstract

We have implemented the 3+1 dimensional CLVisc hydrodynamics model with TRENTO-3D initial conditions to investigate the spin polarization of $\Lambda$ hyperons along the beam direction in p+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 8.16$ TeV. Following our previous theoretical framework based on quantum kinetic theory, we consider three different scenarios: $\Lambda$ equilibrium, $s$ quark equilibrium, and iso-thermal equilibrium scenarios. We have computed the second Fourier sine coefficients of spin polarization along the beam direction, denoted as $\left\langle P_{z} \sin 2(\phi_{p} - \Psi_{2}) \right\rangle$, with $\phi_{p} - \Psi_{2}$ being the azimuthal angle relative to the second-order event plane $\Psi_{2}$, as functions of multiplicity, transverse momentum and pseudo-rapidity in the three scenarios. Additionally, we have also computed the spin polarization along the beam direction, $P_{z}$, as a function of the azimuthal angle. We find that the spin polarization induced by thermal vorticity always provides an opposite contribution compared to the shear-induced polarization in p+Pb collisions. The total spin polarization computed by the current hydrodynamic model disagrees with the data measured by LHC-CMS experiments. Our findings imply that other non-flow effects may play a crucial role in p+Pb collisions.