Exploring the $\Lambda$-deuteron interaction via correlations in heavy-ion collisions

$\Lambda$-deuteron two-particle momentum correlation functions, to be measured in high-energy heavy-ion collisions, are investigated. In particular, the question is addressed whether such correlations can serve as an additional and alternative source of information on the elementary $\Lambda N$ interaction. The study is performed within the Lednicky-Lyuboshits formalism, utilizing an effective range expansion for the two relevant $S$-wave $\Lambda d$ amplitudes with parameters taken from the literature. It is found that in collisions characterized by a large emitting source the $\Lambda d$ correlation function is predominatly sensitive to the quartet state ($^4S_{3/2}$). In contrast, for small source sizes the contribution from the doublet partial wave ($^2S_{1/2}$) could be significant. Though the latter is constrained by the hypertriton binding energy, its present experimental uncertainty impedes an accurate determination of the doublet amplitude and, in turn, complicates conclusions on the quartet state.