Strong and weak $CP$ tests in sequential decays of polarized $\Sigma^0$ hyperons

Abstract

The $J/\psi, \psi(3686) \to \Sigma^0 \bar{\Sigma}^{0}$ processes and subsequent decays are studied using the world's largest $J/\psi$ and $\psi(3686)$ data samples collected with the BESIII detector. The strong-$CP$ symmetry is tested in the decays of the $\Sigma^0$ hyperons for the first time by measuring the decay parameters, $\alpha_{\Sigma^0} = -0.0017 \pm 0.0021 \pm 0.0018$ and $\bar{\alpha}_{\Sigma^0} = 0.0021 \pm 0.0020 \pm 0.0022$. The weak-$CP$ test is performed in the subsequent decays of their daughter particles $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$. Also for the first time, the transverse polarizations of the $\Sigma^0$ hyperons in $J/\psi$ and $\psi(3686)$ decays are observed with opposite directions, and the ratios between the S-wave and D-wave contributions of the $J/\psi, \psi(3686) \to \Sigma^0 \bar{\Sigma}^{0}$ decays are obtained. These results are crucial to understand the decay dynamics of the charmonium states and the production mechanism of the $\Sigma^0-\bar{\Sigma}^0$ pairs.