Polarized and unpolarizedμ-pair meson-induced Drell-Yan production and the pion distribution amplitude

Abstract

We present a detailed analysis of meson-induced massive lepton (muon) Drell--Yan production for the process ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}X$, considering both an unpolarized nucleon target and longitudinally polarized protons. Using a QCD framework, we focus on the angular distribution of ${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}$, which is sensitive to the shape of the pion distribution amplitude, the goal being to test corresponding results against available experimental data. Predictions are made, employing various pion distribution amplitudes, for the azimuthal angle dependence of the ${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}$ distribution in the polarized case, relevant for the planned COMPASS experiment. QCD evolution is given particular attention in both considered cases.