Spin alignment of $K^*(892)^\pm$ mesons produced in neutron-carbon interactions

Abstract

A new precise measurements of spin density matrix element $ρ_{00}$ of $K^*(892)^{\pm}$ mesons produced inclusively in neutron-carbon interactions at \~60 GeV have been carried out in the EXCHARM experiment at the Serpukhov accelerator. The values of $ρ_{00}$ obtained in the transversity frame are $0.424\pm0.011(stat)\pm0.018(sys)$ for $K^*(892)^+$ and $0.393\pm0.025(stat)\pm0.018(sys)$ for $K^*(892)^-$. Significant $P_T$ dependence of $ρ_{00}$ has been observed in $K^*(892)^+$ production.