J/psi polarization measurements in p+p collisions at sqrt{s} = 200 and 500 GeV with the STAR experiment

Abstract

In these proceedings, measurements of J/psi polarization in p+p collisions at 200 and 500 GeV via the dielectron decay channel at mid-rapidity with the STAR experiment are discussed. At 200 GeV the polarization parameter, $\lambda_{\theta}$, related to the polar anisotropy is obtained in the helicity frame as a function of transverse momentum, 2 < $p_{T}$ < 6 GeV/c, and compared to different model predictions. A new J/psi polarization measurement at 500 GeV extends the previous analysis to a wide transverse momentum range of 5 < $p_{T}$ < 16 GeV/c. Also, the polarization parameter related to the azimuthal anisotropy, $\lambda_{\phi}$, is extracted in addition to $\lambda_{\theta}$, in two reference frames: the helicity and Collins-Soper frames. This allows for the frame invariant parameter calculation vs $p_{T}$ in these two frames.