2002/10/28 by M. Anselmino, U. D’Alesio, U. D'Alesio +1 · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Asymmetry #Drell–Yan process #Electron #Hadron #High-Energy Particle Collisions Research #Invariant mass #Lepton #Nuclear physics #Particle physics #Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies #Parton #Physics #Pion #Quantum Chromodynamics and Particle Interactions #Quark #Rapidity #Spin (aerodynamics) #Transverse plane #hep-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevd.67.074010
published as Phys.Rev. D67 (2003) 074010 · LaTeX, 24+1 pages, 7 ps figures, uses epsfig.sty
arxiv created 2002/10/28 · openalex publication_date 2003/04/14 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Recently, it has been shown, contrary to previous beliefs, that the k_\ensuremath⊥ distribution of quarks in a transversely polarized proton can be asymmetric. This ``Sivers effect'' had already been used to explain transverse single spin asymmetry (SSA) observed in inclusive pion production p^\ensuremath\uparrow\stackrel\ensuremath→p\ensuremathπX and p^\ensuremath\uparrow\stackrel\ensuremath→p\ensuremathπX. In such channels, however, other mechanisms, such as the ``Collins effect'' (a k_\ensuremath⊥ asymmetric fragmentation of a transversely polarized quark into pions), may generate SSA. The Sivers asymmetry is used here to compute the SSA in Drell-Yan processes; in this case, by considering the differential cross section in the lepton-pair invariant mass, rapidity, and transverse momentum, other mechanisms that may originate SSA cannot contribute. Estimates for BNL RHIC experiments are given.