Polarization of Λ hyperon spin-spin correlations in p + p and Au + Au collisions at the STAR experiment

In a paper published by Fermilab in 1976, it was discovered that Λ hyperons were polarized in p + Be collisions with a 300 GeV beam. Later discoveries would show that the polarization is dependent primarily on xF and not the beam energy or collision type. In our study, we use ΛΛ (Lambda - Lambda) , Λ ̄Λ (Lambda - Lambda Bar) , and ̄Λ ̄Λ (Lambda Bar - Lambda Bar) candidates to investigate spin-spin correlations of initial state partons in p + p collisions at √s = 200 GeV and in Au + Au collisions at √s_NN = 200 GeV. By examining the spin couplings of these candidates, we can develop a more comprehensive understanding of the hadronization process to determine if the polarization is being influenced by the strange quark or the up and down quarks. As any non-zero signal in p + p collisions at √s = 200 GeV and in Au + Au collisions at √s_NN = 200 GeV provides insight into the polarization process of the Λ hyperons. Thus, contributing to our understanding of the strong interaction in current quantum chromodynamics models within the quark gluon plasma and providing valuable insight into how polarization occurs in Λ hyperons.