Probing $\Lambda$ potential via its $v_{2}$ flow in hypernuclei-induced reaction

TL;DR

This paper investigates the hyperon potential at high densities by analyzing hypernuclei-induced reactions and hyperon elliptic flow, providing a method to estimate the potential at different densities using transport models.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to probe the hyperon potential at high densities through hyperon elliptic flow in hypernucleus collisions, especially below hyperon production thresholds.

Findings

Hyperon elliptic flow shows asymmetry between positive and negative rapidity regions.

Hyperon potential can be estimated at approximately twice and at saturation density from flow data.

The method offers a way to understand hyperon interactions at high densities in neutron stars.

Abstract

The hyperon potential, particularly its behavior at high densities, is crucial for resolving the ``hyperon puzzle'' in neutron stars and for advancing our understanding of the strong interactions between strange and non-strange particles in high baryon density environments. Using the hadronic transport model AMPT-HC, hypernucleus-nucleus collision is studied. It is found that at beam energies below the threshold for hyperon production, the hyperon elliptic flow exhibits noticeable asymmetry between the positive and negative rapidity regions and is sensitive to the strength of the hyperon potential, especially in the large negative rapidity region. One can extract the hyperon potential approximately twice the saturation density based on the hyperon elliptic flow in the negative rapidity region, and the hyperon potential around the saturation density based on the hyperon elliptic flow in the positive rapidity region.