Spin Dependent Fragmentation Functions for Heavy Flavor Baryons and Single Heavy Hyperon Polarization

Abstract

Spin dependent fragmentation functions for heavy flavor quarks to fragment into heavy baryons are calculated in a quark-diquark model. The production of intermediate spin 1/2 and 3/2 excited states is explicity included. $\Lambda_b$ , $\Lambda_c$ and $\Xi_c$ production rate and polarization at LEP energies are calculated and, where possible, compared with experiment. A different approach, also relying on a heavy quark-diquark model, is proposed for the small momentum transfer inclusive production of polarized heavy flavor hyperons. The predicted $\Lambda_c$ polarization is roughly in agreement with experiment.