Semi-inclusive Pion Electroproduction Research Articles

Beam-spin asymmetries from semi-inclusive pion electroproduction

We have measured the moment $A_{LU}^{\sin\phi}$ corresponding to the polarized electron beam-spin asymmetry in SIDIS. $A_{LU}^{\sin\phi}$ is a twist-3 quantity providing information about quark-gluon correlations. Data were taken with the CLAS Spectrometer at Jefferson Lab using a 5.498 GeV longitudinally polarized electron beam and an unpolarized liquid hydrogen target. All three pion channels ($\pi^+$, $\pi^0$ and $\pi^-$) were measured simultaneously over a large range of kinematics within the virtuality range $Q^2 \approx$ 1.0-4.5 GeV$^2$. The observable was measured with better than 1% statistical precision over a large range of $z$, $P_T$, $x_B$, and $Q^{2}$, which permits comparison with several reaction models. The discussed measurements provide an upgrade in statistics over previous measurements, and serve as the first evidence for the negative sign of the $\pi^{-}$ $\sin\phi$ moment.

Semi-inclusive charged-pion electroproduction off protons and deuterons: Cross sections, ratios, and access to the quark-parton model at low energies

A large set of cross sections for semi-inclusive electroproduction of charged pions (π±) from both proton and deuteron targets was measured. The data are in the deep-inelastic scattering region with invariant mass squared W2>4 GeV2 (up to ≈7 GeV2) and range in four-momentum transfer squared 2<Q2<4 (GeV/c)2, and cover a range in the Bjorken scaling variable 0.2<x<0.6. The fractional energy of the pions spans a range 0.3<z<1, with small transverse momenta with respect to the virtual-photon direction, Pt2<0.2 (GeV/c)2. The invariant mass that goes undetected, Mx or W′, is in the nucleon resonance region, W′<2 GeV. The new data conclusively show the onset of quark-hadron duality in this process, and the relation of this phenomenon to the high-energy factorization ansatz of electron-quark scattering and subsequent quark→pion production mechanisms. The x, z, and Pt2 dependences of several ratios (the ratios of favored-unfavored fragmentation functions, charged pion ratios, deuteron-hydrogen and aluminum-deuteron ratios for π+ and π−) have been studied. The ratios are found to be in good agreement with expectations based upon a high-energy quark-parton model description. We find the azimuthal dependences to be small, as compared to exclusive pion electroproduction, and consistent with theoretical expectations based on tree-level factorization in terms of transverse-momentum-dependent parton distribution and fragmentation functions. In the context of a simple model, the initial transverse momenta of d quarks are found to be slightly smaller than for u quarks, while the transverse momentum width of the favored fragmentation function is about the same as for the unfavored one, and both fragmentation widths are larger than the quark widths.19 MoreReceived 7 March 2011DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.85.015202©2012 American Physical Society

Transverse spin structure of the nucleon through target single-spin asymmetry in semi-inclusive deep-inelastic (e, e’ $ \pi^{\pm}_{}$ ) reaction at Jefferson Lab

Jefferson Lab (JLab) 12 GeV energy upgrade provides a golden opportunity to perform precision studies of the transverse spin and transverse-momentum-dependent structure in the valence quark region for both the proton and the neutron. In this paper, we focus our discussion on a recently approved experiment on the neutron as an example of the precision studies planned at JLab. The new experiment will perform precision measurements of target Single Spin Asymmetries (SSA) from semi-inclusive electro-production of charged pions from a 40-cm long transversely polarized $^3$He target in Deep-Inelastic-Scattering kinematics using 11 and 8.8 GeV electron beams. This new coincidence experiment in Hall A will employ a newly proposed solenoid spectrometer (SoLID). The large acceptance spectrometer and the high polarized luminosity will provide precise 4-D ($x$, $z$, $P_T$ and $Q^2$) data on the Collins, Sivers, and pretzelocity asymmetries for the neutron through the azimuthal angular dependence. The full 2$\pi$ azimuthal angular coverage in the lab is essential in controlling the systematic uncertainties. The results from this experiment, when combined with the proton Collins asymmetry measurement and the Collins fragmentation function determined from the e$^+$e$^-$ collision data, will allow for a quark flavor separation in order to achieve a determination of the tensor charge of the d quark to a 10% accuracy. The extracted Sivers and pretzelocity asymmetries will provide important information to understand the correlations between the quark orbital angular momentum and the nucleon spin and between the quark spin and nucleon spin.

Nucleon transversity study using a polarized 3He target in Hall A at JLab

A first measurement of Single target Spin Asymmetry (SSA) from semi-inclusive electro-production of charged pions from a transversely polarized 3He target in Deep-Inelastic-Scattering kinematics was completed in Hall A at Jefferson Lab in early 2009. Such SSA will allow for an extraction of the much desired information on the Collins and Sivers asymmetry from the “neutron” in order to probe the quark transversity distributions. Future 11 GeV measurements at Jefferson Lab in Hall A using a solenoid magnetic detector system is being planned.

Duality in semi-inclusive pion electroproduction

We explore quark-hadron duality in semi-inclusive pion electroproduction on proton and neutron targets. Using the spin-flavor symmetric quark model, we compute ratios of $$\pi^+$$ and $$\pi^-$$ cross sections for both unpolarized and polarized scattering, and discuss realizations of duality in several symmetry breaking scenarios. The model calculations allow one to understand some of the key features of recent data on semi-inclusive pion production at low energies.

Transverse momentum dependence of semi-inclusive pion production

Cross sections for semi-inclusive electroproduction of charged pions (π±) from both proton and deuteron targets were measured for 0.2<x<0.5, 2<Q2<4 GeV2, 0.3<z<1, and Pt2<0.2 GeV2. For Pt<0.1 GeV, we find the azimuthal dependence to be small, as expected theoretically. For both π+ and π−, the Pt dependence from the deuteron is found to be slightly weaker than from the proton. In the context of a simple model, this implies that the initial transverse momenta width of d quarks is larger than for u quarks and, contrary to expectations, the transverse momentum width of the favored fragmentation function is larger than the unfavored one.

Latest HERMES results on transverse spin effects in hadron structure and formation⋆

Transverse target single-spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering allow to study the so-called Collins and Sivers mechanisms. The first one connects the poorly known fundamental transversity distribution function, describing the transverse spin-polarization of quarks in a transversely polarized proton, to the Collins fragmentation function, describing spin-orbit correlations in the hadron formation process. The second one is sensitive to the Sivers function, which correlates the intrinsic transverse momentum of quarks with the proton’s spin orientation and is related to the orbital angular momentum of quarks. Preliminary results on azimuthal single target-spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive electro-production of pions and kaons at the HERMES experiment are presented. The full data set collected with a transversely polarized hydrogen target was analyzed providing the HERMES most precise results on the Collins and Sivers azimuthal moments.

Neutron transversity measurement at Jefferson Lab with a polarized 3He target

A first measurement of single target spin asymmetry (SSA) from semi-inclusive electroproduction of charged pions from a transversely polarized 3He target in deep-inelastic-scattering kinematics will take data in Hall A at Jefferson Lab in 2008. Such SSA will allow for an extraction of the much desired information on the Collins and Sivers asymmetry from the “neutron” in order to probe the quark transversity distributions. The experiment will be a coincidence measurement with the BigBite spectrometer detecting the scattered electrons and the left-arm HRS spectrometer detecting the charged pions. The prospect of future 11 GeV measurements at Jefferson Lab in Hall A using a solenoid magnetic detector system is also discussed in this talk.

From Inclusive Scattering to Exclusive Reactions – recent results from HERMES

Single-spin asymmetries for semi-inclusive electroproduction of charged pions in deep-inelastic scattering of positrons are measured for the first time with transverse target polarization. They provide access to the transversity distribution via the Collins mechanism and the previously unmeasured Sivers function. The comparison of this data to similar data taken with longitudinally polarized protons provides insight into subleading-twist contributions. A second class of reaction promising new insights into the structure of the nucleon, hard exclusive electroproduction of real photons (named Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering) or mesons closely linked to the novel formalism of Generalized Parton Distributions is studied. The data were accumulated by the HERMES experiment at DESY scattering the HERA 27.6 GeV electron or positron beam off longitudinally or transversely polarized hydrogen targets.

Publisher’s Note: Exclusive channels in semi-inclusive production of pions and kaons [Phys. Rev. D72, 034034 (2005)

We investigate the role of exclusive channels in semi-inclusive electroproduction of pions and kaons. Using the QCD factorization theorem for hard exclusive processes we evaluate the cross sections for exclusive pseudoscalar and vector meson production in terms of generalized parton distributions and meson distribution amplitudes. We investigate the uncertainties arising from the modeling of the nonperturbative input quantities. Combining these results with available experimental data, we compare the cross sections for exclusive channels to that obtained from quark fragmentation in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering. We find that rho^0 production is the only exclusive channel with significant contributions to semi-inclusive pion production at large z and moderate Q^2. The corresponding contribution to kaon production from the decay of exclusively produced phi and K^* is rather small.

Exclusive channels in semi-inclusive production of pions and kaons

We investigate the role of exclusive channels in semi-inclusive electroproduction of pions and kaons. Using the QCD factorization theorem for hard exclusive processes we evaluate the cross sections for exclusive pseudoscalar and vector meson production in terms of generalized parton distributions and meson distribution amplitudes. We investigate the uncertainties arising from the modeling of the nonperturbative input quantities. Combining these results with available experimental data, we compare the cross sections for exclusive channels to that obtained from quark fragmentation in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering. We find that ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{0}$ production is the only exclusive channel with significant contributions to semi-inclusive pion production at large $z$ and moderate ${Q}^{2}$. The corresponding contribution to kaon production from the decay of exclusively produced $\ensuremath{\phi}$ and ${K}^{*}$ is rather small.

Measurement of Transverse Target-spin Asymmetries at Hermes

Azimuthal asymmetries are observed in the cross section of semi-inclusive charged pion electroproduction from a transversely polarized hydrogen target at Hermes. Their si- multaneous dependence on the azimuthal angles of both the pion and the target spin axis allows the extraction of two Fourier components that are interpreted in terms of Collins and Sivers effects. For π + -production both components are found to be positive, while for π − -production the Sivers asymmetry vanishes and the Collins asymmetry is found to be negative and surprisingly large in magnitude.

Single-Spin Asymmetries in Semi-Inclusive Deep-Inelastic Scattering on a Transversely Polarized Hydrogen Target

Single-spin asymmetries for semi-inclusive electroproduction of charged pions in deep-inelastic scattering of positrons are measured for the first time with transverse target polarization. The asymmetry depends on the azimuthal angles of both the pion (phi) and the target spin axis (phi(S)) about the virtual-photon direction and relative to the lepton scattering plane. The extracted Fourier component sin((phi+phi(S))(pi)(UT) is a signal of the previously unmeasured quark transversity distribution, in conjunction with the Collins fragmentation function, also unknown. The component sin((phi-phi(S)(pi)(UT) arises from a correlation between the transverse polarization of the target nucleon and the intrinsic transverse momentum of quarks, as represented by the previously unmeasured Sivers distribution function. Evidence for both signals is observed, but the Sivers asymmetry may be affected by exclusive vector meson production.

Spin-independent and double-spin cosφ asymmetries in semi-inclusive pion electroproduction

We consider the cosφ dependence of the longitudinal double-spin asymmetry for charged pion electroproduction in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering, emphasizing intrinsic transverse momentum effects. This azimuthal asymmetry allows to measure the cosφ moments of the unpolarized and double-spin cross-section, simultaneously. The size of the asymmetry, in the approximation where all twist-3 interaction-dependent distribution and fragmentation functions are set to zero, is estimated for HERMES kinematics; both the spin-independent and the double-spin cosφ moments are predicted to be sizable and negative.

Measurement of single-spin azimuthal asymmetries in semi-inclusive electroproduction of pions and kaons on a longitudinally polarised deuterium target

Single-spin asymmetries have been measured for semi-inclusive electroproduction of π+, π−, π0 and K+ mesons in deep-inelastic scattering off a longitudinally polarised deuterium target. The asymmetries appear in the distribution of the hadrons in the azimuthal angle φ around the virtual photon direction, relative to the lepton scattering plane. The corresponding analysing powers in the sinφ moment of the cross section are 0.012±0.002(stat.)±0.002(syst.) for π+, 0.006±0.003(stat.)±0.002(syst.) for π−, 0.021±0.005(stat.)±0.003(syst.) for π0 and 0.013±0.006(stat.)±0.003(syst.) for K+. The sin2φ moments are compatible with zero for all particles.

Transversity distribution and polarized fragmentation function from semi-inclusive pion electroproduction

A method is discussed to determine the hitherto unknown u-quark transversity distribution from a planned HERMES measurement of a single-spin asymmetry in semi-inclusive pion electroproduction off a transversely polarized target. Assuming u-quark dominance, the measurement yields the shapes of the transversity distribution and of the ratio of a polarized and the unpolarized u-quark fragmentation functions. The unknown relative normalization can be obtained by identifying the transversity distribution with the well-known helicity distribution at large x. The systematic uncertainty of the method is dominated by the assumption of u-quark dominance.

Evidence for a single-spin azimuthal asymmetry in semi-inclusive pion electroproduction

Single-spin asymmetries for semi-inclusive pion production in deep-inelastic scattering have been measured for the first time. A significant target-spin asymmetry of the distribution in the azimuthal angle straight phi of the pion relative to the lepton scattering plane was formed for pi(+) electroproduction on a longitudinally polarized hydrogen target. The corresponding analyzing power in the sinstraight phi moment of the cross section is 0.022+/-0.005+/-0.003. This result can be interpreted as the effect of terms in the cross section involving chiral-odd spin distribution functions in combination with a chiral-odd fragmentation function that is sensitive to the transverse polarization of the fragmenting quark.

Single target-spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive pion electroproduction on longitudinally polarized protons

We evaluate the single-spin sinΦ h and sin2 Φ h azimuthal asymmetries in the semi-inclusive pion production in deep inelastic lepton scattering off longitudinally polarized proton target in the HERMES kinematics. A good agreement with the HERMES data is a achieved using only the twist-2 distribution and fragmentation functions.

Probing charge-symmetry-violating quark distributions in semi-inclusive leptoproduction of hadrons.

Recent experiments by the HERMES group at HERA are measuring semi-inclusive electroproduction of pions from deuterium. We point out that by comparing the production of $\pi^+$ and $\pi^-$ from an isoscalar target, it is possible, in principle, to measure charge symmetry violation in the valence quark distributions of the nucleons. It is also possible in the same experiments to obtain an independent measurement of the quark fragmentation functions. We review the information which can be deduced from such experiments and show the ``signature'' for charge symmetry violation in such experiments. Finally, we predict the magnitude of the charge symmetry violation, from both the valence quark distributions and the pion fragmentation function, which might be expected in these experiments.

Inclusive charged-pion electroproduction

We report measurements of semi-inclusive pion electroproduction from both hydrogen and deuterium targets carried out at the Wilson Synchrotron Laboratory at Cornell University. Measurements were made at the (W,Q/sup 2/) points (2.15 GeV, 1.2 GeV/sup 2/), (2.15, 4.0), and (3.11, 1.2) with hydrogen and deuterium, and at (2.15, 2.0), (2.67, 3.3), and (3.11, 1.7) with hydrogen only. The invariant virtual-photoproduction cross section for pions scaled by the total cross section is studied as a function of x', P/sub T/ /sup 2/, W, and Q/sup 2/. The invariant structure function shows no Q/sup 2/ dependence and a weak W dependence. The ratio of ..pi../sup +/ to ..pi../sup -/ production is also presented, but a distinction between a universal ..omega.. or W dependence cannot be made.