Lambda polarization and single-spin left-right asymmetry in diffractive hadron-hadron collisions

Abstract

We discuss Lambda polarization and single-spin left-right asymmetry in diffractive hadron-hadron scattering at high energies. We show that the physical picture proposed in a recent Letter is consistent with the experimental observation that $Λ$ polarization in the diffractive process, $pp\to ΛK^+p$, is much higher than that in the inclusive reaction, $pp\to ΛX$. We make predictions for the left-right asymmetry, A_N, and for the spin transfer, $D_{NN}^Λ$, in the single-spin process $p(\uparrow)p\to ΛK^+p$ and suggest further experimental tests of the proposed picture.