Novel Structure Function for Photon Fragmentation into a $\Lambda$ Hyperon and Transverse $\Lambda$ Polarization in Unpolarized Electron-Positron Annihilation

Abstract

The possibility is examined for the inclusive $\Lambda$ in unpolarized electron-positron annihilation to be transversely polarized. Due to final-state interactions, there exists a novel structure function $\hat{F}(z,Q^2)$ for the inclusive $\Lambda$ hyperon (or any other baryons) production from the unpolarized time-like photon fragmentation, which makes contribution to the transverse $\Lambda$ polarization in the unpolarized electron-positron annihilation.

Comments: RevTex, 4 pages, the version appearing in Phys. Rev. D