We discuss lambda polarization and single-spin left-right asymmetry in diffractive hadron-hadron scattering at high energies. We show that the physical picture proposed in a recent Letter is consistent with the experimental observation that $\Lambda$ polarization in the diffractive process $p\overrightarrow{p}\Lambda K^{+}p$ is much higher than that in the inclusive reaction $p\overrightarrow{p}\Lambda X.\mathrm{}$ We make predictions for the left-right asymmetry $A_N$ and for the spin transfer $D_{\mathrm{NN}}^{\Lambda }$ in the single-spin process $p\left(\uparrow \right)\overrightarrow{p}\Lambda K^{+}p$ and suggest further experimental tests of the proposed picture.

• Received 16 November 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.61.117503