Hyperon (Λ) polarization along the beam axis in Pb-Pb collisions at $$\sqrt{{s}_{\text{N}\text{N}}}=5.36$$ TeV

The measurement of hyperon (Λ and Λ) polarization along the beam axis in Pb-Pb collisions at √sNN = 5.36 TeV using the ALICE detector is presented. The polarization, arising from vorticity components induced by anisotropic flow, is studied relative to the second- and third-order event planes. The measured polarization exhibits clear azimuthal sine modulations, providing the first observation of polarization along the beam direction measured relative to the third-order event plane at the Large Hadron Collider. The values of the polarization measured with respect to the second-order event plane are consistent with previous measurements at √sNN = 5.02 TeV and show improved statistical precision owing to the larger data sample. Comparisons with hydrodynamic calculations indicate that the measured polarization is sensitive to the bulk viscosity and the vortical structure of the quark-gluon plasma, offering new constraints on its transport properties. In particular, the polarization measured relative to the third-order event plane is expected to provide an additional and independent input to constrain both bulk and shear viscosities of the quark-gluon plasma.