Global polarization of $Λ$, $Ξ$, and $Ω$ hyperons in Au+Au collisions from the RHIC Beam Energy Scan-II

Authors: STAR Collaboration

Submitted to arXiv on 02 Nov. 2026
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Abstract

Global polarization of $Λ$, $Ξ$, and $Ω$ hyperons is measured in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=7.7$, 9.2, 11.5, 14.6, 17.3, 19.6, and 27~GeV using high-statistics data from the second phase of the RHIC Beam Energy Scan. No significant difference between the $Λ$ and $\barΛ$ polarizations is observed over the measured collision-energy range, providing improved constraints on magnetic-field-induced contributions. The $Λ$ polarization increases with the magnitude of rapidity, with the slope of the linear fit differing from zero by 4.8 standard deviations, providing the first evidence for a nonzero rapidity dependence of global polarization in this energy range. Global polarization of $Ξ^{-}+\barΞ^{+}$ is observed for the first time at these energies at a significance exceeding 5 standard deviations, with a magnitude comparable to that of $Λ+\barΛ$ and an increase toward lower collision energies. Measurements of $Ω^{-}+\barΩ^{+}$ are compatible with a similar energy dependence and favor the decay parameter $γ_Ω= +1$ with high probability under the assumption of the global polarization picture. These measurements provide new constraints on the energy evolution, rapidity dependence, and species dependence of global polarization in heavy-ion collisions.

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  1. Very close Groundwork for this paper Cited by this paper Used in depth by this paper
    Global Polarization of Ξ and Ω Hyperons in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV.
    J. Adam, L. Adamczyk, J. Adams et al. · 2021 · Physical Review Letters · cited 62 times · Not summarized yet

    This STAR measurement established Ξ and Ω global polarization in Au+Au collisions at 200 GeV, preceding the BES-II species measurements.

    Abstract

    Global polarization of Ξ and Ω hyperons has been measured for the first time in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV. The measurements of the Ξ^{-} and Ξ[over ¯]^{+} hyperon polarization have been performed by two independent methods, via analysis of the angular distribution of the daughter particles in the parity violating weak decay Ξ→Λ+π, as well as by measuring the polarization of the daughter Λ hyperon, polarized via polarization transfer from its parent. The polarization, obtained by combining the results from the two methods and averaged over Ξ^{-} and Ξ[over ¯]^{+}, is measured to be ⟨P_{Ξ}⟩=0.47±0.10(stat)±0.23(syst)% for the collision centrality 20%-80%. The ⟨P_{Ξ}⟩ is found to…

  2. Very close Same question
    Differential measurement of global polarization of $\Lambda$, $\Xi$, and $\Omega$ hyperons in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=7.7$--$27~\mathrm{GeV}$ from the RHIC Beam Energy Scan-II
    The Star Collaboration · 2026 · Not summarized yet

    This BES-II STAR analysis measures Λ, Ξ, and Ω polarization across the same collision energies, resolving differential centrality, momentum, and rapidity dependence.

    Abstract

    We present high-precision differential measurements of the global polarization of $\Lambda$, $\Xi$, and $\Omega$ hyperons in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=7.7$, $9.2$, $11.5$, $14.6$, $17.3$, $19.6$, and $27~\mathrm{GeV}$ from the RHIC Beam Energy Scan Phase II (BES-II) using the STAR detector. The results show a clear centrality dependence, with polarization increasing toward more peripheral collisions. Within the present experimental precision, no significant dependence on transverse momentum is observed for $\Lambda$ and $\Xi$, and no significant rapidity dependence is observed for the $\Xi$. The polarization of $\Xi$ hyperons is comparable at the current precision to that o…

  3. Very close Broader context Cited by this paper
    Measurement of global polarization of Λ hyperons in few-GeV heavy-ion collisions
    R. Abou Yassine, J. Adamczewski-Musch, C. Asal et al. · 2022 · Physics Letters B · cited 65 times · Not summarized yet

    This HADES study measures Λ polarization versus centrality, transverse momentum, and rapidity in Au+Au and Ag+Ag collisions at few-GeV energies.

    Abstract

    The global polarization of Λ hyperons along the total orbital angular momentum of a relativistic heavy-ion collision is presented based on the high statistics data samples collected in Au+Au collisions at √ s NN = 2 . 4 GeV and Ag+Ag at 2.55 GeV with the High-Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer (HADES) at GSI, Darmstadt. This is the first measurement below the strangeness production threshold in nucleon-nucleon collisions. Results are reported as a function of the collision centrality as well as a function of the hyperon’s transverse momentum ( p T ) and rapidity ( y CM ) for the range of centrality 0–40%. We observe a

  4. Very close Another approach to the problem Cited by this paper Used in depth by this paper
    Global spin polarization of multistrange hyperons and feed-down effect in heavy-ion collisions
    Hui Li, Xiao-Liang Xia, Xu-Guang Huang et al. · 2021 · Physics Letters B · cited 33 times · Not summarized yet

    This multiphase transport calculation predicts species-ordered polarization and feed-down effects for Λ, Ξ, and Ω in Au+Au collisions.

    Abstract

    Global spin polarization of hyperons is an important observable to probe the vorticity of the quark-gluon plasma produced in heavyion collisions. We calculate the global polarizations of Λ, Ξ−, and Ω− in Au+Au collisions at energies √ sNN = 7.7–200 GeV based on a multiphase transport model. Our calculations suggest that their primary global polarizations fulfill PΩ− ' 5/3PΞ− ' 5/3PΛ. We also estimate the feed-down effect of particle decay on the global polarization. With the feed-down effect taken into account, the global polarizations of Λ and Ξ− are clearly separated, and the final global polarizations are in the ordering: PΩ− > PΞ− > PΛ. Such a relation can be tested in experiments, which…

  5. Very close Another approach to the problem Cited by this paper
    Hyperon global polarization in heavy-ion collisions at energies available at the JINR Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility: Feed-down effects and the role of Σ0 hyperons
    V. Voronyuk, N. Tsegelnik, E. Kolomeitsev · 2023 · Physical Review C · cited 4 times · Not summarized yet

    This PHSD calculation examines energy-dependent hyperon polarization and feed-down, predicting stronger anti-hyperon than hyperon polarization.

    Abstract

    Global polarization of hyperons induced by the local vorticity of the medium created in heavy-ion collisions at energies 2.3\,GeV$\le\sqrt{s_{NN}}\le$11.5 GeV is calculated in the parton-hadron-string dynamic (PHSD) model. The separation of spectator nucleons and the fluidization of the generated particle distributions are performed. The polarization of all anti-hyperon species is found significantly larger than that of hyperons. The $\overline{\Xi}$ hyperons are found to be polarized as strong as $\overline{\Lambda}$s but $\Xi$ hyperons have weaker polarization compared to $\Lambda$s. The $\Omega$ and $\overline{\Omega}$ polarizations show the strongest dependence on the collision energy. D…

  6. Very close Same question Cited by this paper
    Hyperon global polarization in isobar Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV
    The Star Collaboration · 2025 · cited 3 times · Not summarized yet

    This STAR measurement compares Λ, anti-Λ, Ξ, and anti-Ξ polarization and its collision dependence, but in 200 GeV isobar collisions.

    Abstract

    The polarization of Lambda, Anti-Lambda, Xi, and Anti-Xi hyperons along the angular momentum of the system has been measured in isobar collisions of Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV with the STAR detector at RHIC. The polarization dependence on collision centrality is explored and found to show an increasing trend in more peripheral collisions. Dependencies on transverse momentum and pseudorapidity are investigated for Lambda and Anti-Lambda hyperons, but no significant dependence has been observed. The polarization measurements for Lambda and Anti-Lambda are consistent with each other, indicating little contribution of the spin-magnetic coupling in the observed polarization. The…

  7. Very close Groundwork for this paper Cited by this paper
    Global polarization measurement in Au+Au collisions
    B. Abelev, M. Aggarwal, Z. Ahammed et al. · 2006 · cited 134 times · Not summarized yet

    This earlier STAR study measured Λ and anti-Λ polarization in Au+Au collisions and reported results consistent with zero within its precision.

    Abstract

    The system created in non-central relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions possesses large orbital angular momentum. Due to spin-orbit coupling, particles produced in such a system could become globally polarized along the direction of the system angular momentum. We present the results of Lambda and anti-Lambda hyperon global polarization measurements in Au+Au collisions at sqrt{s_NN}=62.4 GeV and 200 GeV performed with the STAR detector at RHIC. The observed global polarization of Lambda and anti-Lambda hyperons in the STAR acceptance is consistent with zero within the precision of the measurements. The obtained upper limit, |P_{Lambda,anti-Lambda}|<= 0.02, is compared to the theoretical va…

  8. Close Another approach to the problem Cited by this paper
    Is different Λ and Λ¯ polarization caused by different spatio-temporal freeze-out picture?
    O. Vitiuk, L. Bravina, E. Zabrodin · 2020 · Physics Letters B · cited 40 times · Not summarized yet

    This UrQMD study models Λ and anti-Λ polarization across collision energies and attributes their predicted difference to distinct freeze-out conditions.

    Abstract

    Abstract Thermal vorticity in non-central Au+Au collisions at energies 7.7 ≤ s ≤ 62.4 GeV is calculated within the UrQMD transport model. Tracing the Λ and Λ ¯ hyperons back to their last interaction point we were able to obtain the temperature and the chemical potentials at the time of emission by fitting the extracted bulk characteristics of hot and dense medium to statistical model of ideal hadron gas. Then the polarization of both hyperons was calculated. The polarization of Λ and Λ ¯ increases with decreasing energy of nuclear collisions. The stronger polarization of Λ ¯ is explained by the different space-time distributions of Λ and Λ ¯ and by different freeze-out conditions of both hy…

Prior work it builds on

  1. Close Groundwork for this paper
    Globally polarized quark-gluon plasma in noncentral A + A collisions.
    Zuo-Tang Liang, Xin-Nian Wang · 2004 · Physical Review Letters · cited 403 times · Not summarized yet

    This early theoretical study proposes that spin-orbit coupling polarizes quarks in noncentral collisions, motivating global hyperon-polarization measurements.

    Abstract

    Produced partons have a large local relative orbital angular momentum along the direction opposite to the reaction plane in the early stage of noncentral heavy-ion collisions. Parton scattering is shown to polarize quarks along the same direction due to spin-orbital coupling. Such global quark polarization will lead to many observable consequences, such as left-right asymmetry of hadron spectra and global transverse polarization of thermal photons, dileptons, and hadrons. Hadrons from the decay of polarized resonances will have an azimuthal asymmetry similar to the elliptic flow. Global hyperon polarization is studied within different hadronization scenarios and can be easily tested.

  2. Close Review
    Spin polarization in relativistic heavy-ion collisions
    F. Becattini, Matteo Buzzegoli, T. Niida et al. · 2024 · International Journal of Modern Physics E · cited 53 times · Not summarized yet

    This review surveys global and local spin-polarization measurements and theoretical frameworks for relativistic heavy-ion collisions.

    Abstract

    Polarization has opened a new physics chapter in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. Since the first prediction and experimental observation of global spin polarization, a lot of progress has been made in understanding its features, both at experimental and theoretical levels. In this paper, we give an overview on the recent advances in this field. The covered topics include a review of measurements of global and local spin polarization of hyperons and the global spin alignment of vector meson’s. We account for the basic theoretical framework to describe spin polarization in a relativistic fluid such as the Quark–Gluon Plasma, including statistical quantum field theory and local thermodynamic…

  3. Close Another approach to the problem
    Thermal vorticity and spin polarization in heavy-ion collisions
    De-Xian Wei, Wei-Tian Deng, Xu-Guang Huang · 2018 · Physical Review C · cited 89 times · Not summarized yet

    This AMPT study calculates thermal vorticity and Λ and anti-Λ polarization across collision energy, momentum, and rapidity.

    Abstract

    The hot and dense matter generated in heavy-ion collisions contains intricate vortical structure in which the local fluid vorticity can be very large. Such vorticity can polarize the spin of the produced particles. We study the event-by-event generation of the so-called thermal vorticity in Au + Au collisions at energy region $\sqrt{s}=7.7-200$ GeV and calculate its time evolution, spatial distribution, etc., in a multiphase transport (AMPT) model. We then compute the spin polarization of the $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons as a function of $\sqrt{s}$, transverse momentum $p_T$, rapidity, and azimuthal angle. Furthermore, we study the harmonic flow of the spin, in a manner analogous t…

  4. Close Broader context
    Local spin polarization in high energy heavy ion collisions
    Hong-Zhong Wu, L. Pang, Xu-Guang Huang et al. · 2019 · Physical Review Research · cited 54 times · Not summarized yet

    This CLVisc study models azimuthal dependence of local hyperon polarization at 200 GeV, focusing on initial conditions and spin chemical potential.

    Abstract

    We revisit the azimuthal angle dependence of the local spin polarization of hyperons in heavy-ion collisions at 200 GeV in the framework of the (3+1)D viscous hydrodynamic model CLVisc. Two different initial conditions are considered in our simulation: the optical Glauber initial condition without initial orbital angular momentum and the AMPT initial condition with an initial orbital angular momentum. We find that the azimuthal angle dependence of the hyperon polarization strongly depends on the choice of the so-called 'spin chemical potential' $\Omega_{\mu\nu}$. With $\Omega_{\mu\nu}$ chosen to be proportional to the temperature vorticity, our simulation shows qualitatively coincidental res…

  5. Close Review
    Polarization and Vorticity in the Quark–Gluon Plasma
    F. Becattini, M. Lisa · 2020 · Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science · cited 244 times · Not summarized yet

    This article reviews how QGP vorticity can generate hadron spin polarization and discusses experimental observations and theoretical calculations.

    Abstract

    The quark–gluon plasma (QGP) produced by collisions between ultrarelativistic heavy nuclei is well described in the language of hydrodynamics. Noncentral collisions are characterized by very large angular momentum, which in a fluid system manifests as flow vorticity. This rotational structure can lead to a spin polarization of the hadrons that eventually emerge from the plasma, and thus these collisions provide experimental access to flow substructure at unprecedented detail. Recently, the first observations of Λ hyperon polarization along the direction of collisional angular momentum were reported. These measurements are in broad agreement with hydrodynamic and transport-based calculations …

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