Transversity and Lambda polarization

TL;DR

This paper explores the measurement of transversity distributions and Lambda polarization in polarized semi-inclusive processes, offering new insights into polarized parton distributions and fragmentation functions.

Contribution

It introduces novel methods to access transversity and Lambda polarization in polarized processes, expanding understanding of polarized parton distributions.

Findings

Lambda polarization provides new information on polarized fragmentation functions

Transversity can be measured via Lambda polarization in semi-inclusive processes

Potential for future experiments to explore polarized parton distributions

Abstract

Two related issues are discussed, which might be easily explored by present and future COMPASS experiments. The first one deals with the new world of transversity, the fundamental polarized parton distribution so far totally unknown. The second issue concerns Lambda production in polarized semi-inclusive processes, with a measurement of the Lambda polarization, which might give novel information on distribution and fragmentation properties of polarized partons. In case of transverse polarization the detection of Lambda's gives access to a new way of measuring transversities. Also the interesting case of Lambda polarization in unpolarized processes is discussed.