Hadronic structure functions in the $e^+ e^- \rightarrow \bar{\Lambda} \Lambda$ reaction

Abstract

Cross-section distributions are calculated for the reaction $e^+ e^- \rightarrow J/\psi\rightarrow \bar{\Lambda}(\rightarrow \bar{p}\pi^+) \Lambda(\rightarrow p\pi^-)$, and related annihilation reactions mediated by vector mesons. The hyperon-decay distributions depend on a number of structure functions that are bilinear in the, possibly complex, psionic form factors $G_M^\psi$ and $G_E^\psi$ of the Lambda hyperon. The relative size and relative phase of these form factors can be uniquely determined from the unpolarized joint-decay distributions of the Lambda and anti-Lambda hyperons. Also the decay-asymmetry parameters of Lambda and anti-Lambda hyperons can be determined.