Study of Lambda(0) polarization in four different exclusive pp reactions at 27.5 GeV/c

We have measured the x(F) and P-T dependence of the polarization of Lambda( 0) hyperons produced in exclusive final states pp --> p Lambda 0K(+) pi(+)p i(-), pp --> p Lambda(0)K(+)pi(+)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-), pp --> p Lambda(0)K(+)pi( +)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-), and pp --> p Lambda(0)K(+)pi(+)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-) pi(+)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-) at 27.5 GeV/c. We present an empirical parametrization for Lambda(0) polarization as a function of x(F) and P-T: P = (-0.443 +/- 0.037)x(F)P(T) for -1 less than or equal to x(F) less than or equal to 1 an d 0 less than or equal to P-T less than or equal to 1.8 GeV/c. This paramet rization is independent of the final state and provides a good description of the data. We note that the mechanism responsible for Lambda(0) polarizat ion appears to be independent of the production mechanism.