Transverse Target Single-spin Asymmetries Research Articles

Quark-photon-quark correlation and transverse target single spin asymmetry in inclusive DIS

We calculate the q q correlation function associated to transverse target lepton-nucleon inclusive deep-inelastic scattering by direct evaluation of the corresponding matrix element. We use the electromagnetic impact parameter potential for a transversely polarized nucleon to define the q q correlation function for each avor in terms of the field components of that avor. The results are compared with the two existing models for the q q correlator. Using the calculated q q correlation function, we estimated the transverse target SSA in IDIS process.

Recent HERMES results from inclusive and semi-inclusive hadron production

Hermes collected a wealth of data using the 27.6 GeV polarized Hera lepton beam and various pure, polarized and unpolarized, gaseous targets. This unique data set opens the door to various measurements sensi- tive to the multi-dimensional structure of the nucleon. Among them are two-hadron production in semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering on a transversely polarized target, providing access to different transverse-momentum- dependent distribution and fragmentation functions in a way complementary to single-hadron production. Also transverse-target single-spin asymmetries in inclusive electroproduction of charged pions and kaons have been recently extracted, complementing data from proton-proton collisions, where large, so far unexplained, asym- metries have been observed. From inclusive measurements on various nuclear targets, the Λ polarization is extracted, also here complementing measurements in proton-proton collisions.

Transverse target single-spin asymmetry in inclusive electroproduction of charged pions and kaons

Single-spin asymmetries were investigated in inclusive electroproduction of charged pions and kaons from transversely polarized protons at the Hermes experiment. The asymmetries were studied as a function of the azimuthal angle ψ about the beam direction between the target-spin direction and the hadron production plane, the transverse hadron momentum PT relative to the direction of the incident beam, and the Feynman variable xF. The sinψ amplitudes are positive for π+ and K+, slightly negative for π− and consistent with zero for K−, with particular PT but weak xF dependences. Especially large asymmetries are observed for two small subsamples of events, where also the scattered electron was recorded by the spectrometer.

Partonic description of the transverse target single-spin asymmetry in inclusive deep-inelastic scattering

The single-spin asymmetry of unpolarized leptons scattering deep-inelastically off transversely polarized nucleons is studied in a partonic picture within a collinear twist-3 framework. Since this observable is generated by multi-photon exchanges between lepton and nucleon a partonic description of the asymmetry contains essential elements of a full next-to-leading order calculation for single-spin asymmetries in perturbative Quantum Chromodynamics. In particular it is shown how nontrivial cancellations between kinematical and dynamical twist-3 contributions lead to a well-behaved and finite formula. This final result can be expressed in terms of multipartonic quark-gluon and quark-photon correlation functions. Hence, a measurement of the transverse target single-spin asymmetry may provide new constraints on these multipartonic correlations.

Consistent model forπNtransition distribution amplitudes and backward pion electroproduction

The extension of the concept of generalized parton distributions leads to the introduction of baryon to meson transition distribution amplitudes (TDAs), non-diagonal matrix elements of the nonlocal three quark operator between a nucleon and a meson state. We present a general framework for modelling nucleon to pion ($\pi N$) TDAs. Our main tool is the spectral representation for \pi N TDAs in terms of quadruple distributions. We propose a factorized Ansatz for quadruple distributions with input from the soft-pion theorem for \pi N TDAs. The spectral representation is complemented with a D-term like contribution from the nucleon exchange in the cross channel. We then study backward pion electroproduction in the QCD collinear factorization approach in which the non-perturbative part of the amplitude involves \pi N TDAs. Within our two component model for \pi N TDAs we update previous leading-twist estimates of the unpolarized cross section. Finally, we compute the transverse target single spin asymmetry as a function of skewness. We find it to be sizable in the valence region and sensitive to the phenomenological input of our \pi N TDA model.

Measurement of double-spin asymmetries associated with deeply virtual Compton scattering on a transversely polarized hydrogen target

Double-spin asymmetries in exclusive electroproduction of real photons from a transversely polarized hydrogen target are measured with respect to the product of target polarization with beam helicity and beam charge, and with respect to the product of target polarization with beam helicity alone. The asymmetries arise from the deeply virtual Compton scattering process and its interference with the Bethe–Heitler process. They are related to the real part of the same combination of Compton form factors as that determining the previously published transverse target single-spin asymmetries through the imaginary part. The results for the double-spin asymmetries are found to be compatible with zero within the uncertainties of the measurement, and are not incompatible with the predictions of the only available GPD-based calculation.

TMDs studied in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering at HERMES

The HERMES measured azimuthal amplitudes of cross sections and their transverse target single spin asymmetries for hadron productions in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering. From the extracted amplitudes, novel parton distribution functions can be studied. The recent results related to Sivers and Boer–Mulders distribution functions are discussed.

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.