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Transverse spin polarization as a novel probe of the medium-induced transverse-momentum-broadening effect

Xin-Yu Qin1, Yu-Kun Song2,*, and Shu-Yi Wei3,†

  • 1SDU-ANU Joint Science College, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, China
  • 2School of Physics and Technology, University of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China
  • 3Institute of Frontier and Interdisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Particle Physics and Particle Irradiation (MOE), Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China

  • *Contact author: sps_songyk@ujn.edu.cn
  • †Contact author: shuyi@sdu.edu.cn
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Phys. Rev. D 113, 014007 – Published 8 January, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/vtwj-8vjc

Abstract

The transverse polarization of Λ hyperons within unpolarized jets is encoded in the transverse-momentum-dependent fragmentation function D1T⊥(z,p⊥,μ2). In the vacuum environment, the QCD evolution of this transverse-momentum-dependent fragmentation function is governed by the Collins-Soper equation. However, in the presence of the quark-gluon plasma medium, the jet-medium interaction induces the transverse-momentum-broadening effect that modifies the QCD evolution. As a result, the transverse spin polarization of Λ hyperons in relativistic heavy-ion collisions differs from that in pp collisions. We demonstrate that this difference serves as a sensitive probe for studying jet-medium interaction, offering a novel perspective through the spin degree of freedom.

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Phys. Rev. D 113, 014007– Published 8 January, 2026
  • Received 9 April 2025
  • Accepted 12 December 2025
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