Measurement of the polarization of the Ξ0 (Ξ0¯) hyperon beam by the NA48/1 experiment

A total of 368 415 Ξ0→Λπ0 and 31 171 Ξ0¯→Λ¯π0 were selected from data recorded in the NA48/1 experiment during 2002 data taking. From this sample, the polarization of Ξ0 and Ξ0¯ hyperons was measured to be PΞ0=−0.102±0.012(stat)±0.008(syst) and PΞ0¯=−0.01±0.04(stat)±0.008(syst). The dependence of PΞ0 on the Ξ0 transverse momentum with respect to the primary proton beam is also presented. With the same data sample, the ratio of Ξ0¯ and Ξ0 fluxes in proton collisions at 400 GeV/c on a beryllium target was measured.