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→ΛK+p is much higher than that in the inclusive reaction pp→ΛX. We make predictions for the left-right asymmetry AN and for the spin transfer DNNΛ in the single-spin process p(↑)p→ΛK+p and suggest further experimental tests of the proposed picture.