S. Melis

A Strategy towards the extraction of the Sivers function with TMD evolution

The QCD evolution of the unpolarized Transverse Momentum Dependent (TMD) distribution functions and of the Sivers functions have been discussed in recent papers. Following such results we reconsider previous extractions of the Sivers functions from semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering data and propose a simple strategy which allows to take into account the Q^2 dependence of the TMDs in comparison with experimental findings. A clear evidence of the phenomenological success of the TMD evolution equations is given, mostly, by the newest COMPASS data off a transversely polarized proton target.

General partonic structure for hadronic spin asymmetries

The high energy and large p_T inclusive polarized process, (A, S_A) + (B, S_B) --> C + X, is considered under the assumption of a generalized QCD factorization scheme. For the first time all transverse motions, of partons in hadrons and of hadrons in fragmenting partons, are explicitly taken into account: the elementary interactions are computed at leading order with noncollinear exact kinematics, which introduces many phases in the expressions of their helicity amplitudes. Several new spin and k_T dependent soft functions appear and contribute to the cross sections and to spin asymmetries: we put emphasis on their partonic interpretation, in terms of quark and gluon polarizations inside polarized hadrons. Connections with other notations and further information are given in some Appendices. The formal expressions for single and double spin asymmetries are derived. The transverse single spin asymmetry A_N, for p(transv. polarized) p --> pion + X processes is considered in more detail, and all contributions are evaluated numerically by saturating unknown functions with their upper positivity bounds. It is shown that the integration of the phases arising from the noncollinear kinematics strongly suppresses most contributions to the single spin asymmetry, leaving at work predominantly the Sivers effect and, to a lesser extent, the Collins mechanism.

Sivers effect in Drell-Yan processes

The Sivers distributions recently extracted from semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering data [M. Anselmino et al., Eur. Phys. J. A 39, 89 (2009)] are used to compute estimates for Sivers asymmetries in Drell-Yan processes which are being planned at several facilities (RHIC, COMPASS, J-PARC, PAX, PANDA, NICA (JINR) and SPASCHARM (IHEP)). Most of these asymmetries turn out to be large and could allow a clear test of the predicted sign change of the Sivers distributions when active in SIDIS and Drell-Yan processes. This is regarded as a fundamental test of our understanding, within QCD and the factorization scheme, of single spin asymmetries.

Constraints on the gluon Sivers distribution via transverse single spin asymmetries at mid-rapidity in p(up) p ---> pi0 X processes at RHIC

We consider the recent RHIC data on the transverse single spin asymmetry (SSA) A_N, measured in p(transv. polarized) p -> pi^0 X processes at mid-rapidity by the PHENIX collaboration. The measurement is consistent with a vanishing SSA. We analyze this experimental information within a hard scattering approach based on a generalized QCD factorization scheme, with unintegrated, transverse momentum dependent (TMD), parton distribution and fragmentation functions. It turns out that, in the kinematical region of the data, only the gluon Sivers effect could give a large contribution to A_N; its vanishing value is thus an indication about the possible size of the gluon Sivers function (GSF). Approximate upper limits on its magnitude are derived. Additional constraints obtained combining available parameterizations of the quark Sivers function and the Burkardt sum rule (BSR) for the Sivers distributions are also discussed.

General Helicity Formalism for Polarized Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering

We study polarized Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering (SIDIS) processes, within the QCD parton model and a factorization scheme, taking into account all transverse motions, of partons inside the initial proton and of hadrons inside the fragmenting partons. We use the helicity formalism. The elementary interactions are computed at LO with non collinear exact kinematics, which introduces phases in the expressions of their helicity amplitudes. Several Transverse Momentum Dependent (TMD) distribution and fragmentation functions appear and contribute to the cross sections and to spin asymmetries. Our results agree with those obtained with different formalisms, showing the consistency of our approach. The full expression for single and double spin asymmetries is derived. Simplified, explicit analytical expressions, convenient for phenomenological studies, are obtained assuming a factorized Gaussian dependence on intrinsic momenta for the TMDs.

Partonic Transverse Motion in Unpolarized Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering Processes

We analyse the role of partonic transverse motion in unpolarized Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering (SIDIS) processes. Imposing appropriate kinematical conditions, we find some constraints which fix an upper limit to the range of allowed kt values and lead to interesting results, particularly for some observables like the azimuthal modulation of the unpolarized SIDIS cross section and the average transverse momentum of the final, detected hadron.

On the role of Collins effect in the single spin asymmetry A_N in p(transv. polarized) p --> h X processes

The much debated issue of the transverse single spin asymmetry A_N observed in the inclusive large P_T production of a single hadron in pp interactions, p(transv. polarized) p --> pion X, is considered in a TMD factorization scheme. A previous result [1,2] stating that the maximum contribution of the Collins effect is strongly suppressed, is revisited, correcting a numerical error. New estimates are given, adopting the Collins functions recently extracted from SIDIS and e+e- data, and phenomenological consequences are discussed.

Sivers effect and the single spin asymmetry A_N in pp -> hX processes

The single spin asymmetry A_N, for large P_T single inclusive particle production in p(transv. pol.) p collisions, is considered within a generalised parton model and a transverse momentum dependent factorisation scheme. The focus is on the Sivers effect and the study of its potential contribution to A_N, based on a careful analysis of the Sivers functions extracted from azimuthal asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering processes. It is found that such Sivers functions could explain most features of the A_N data, including some recent STAR results which show the persistence of a non zero A_N up to surprisingly large P_T values.

Sivers and Collins effects in polarized pp scattering processes

We summarize the present phenomenology of Sivers and Collins effects for transverse single spin asymmetries in polarized proton-proton collisions within the framework of the generalized parton model (GPM). We will discuss a reassessment of the Collins effect and some preliminary predictions for SSAs in p(pol) p -> pi,K + X processes at RHIC obtained using updated information from SIDIS data and a new set of meson fragmentation functions.

Sivers effect and the single spin asymmetry

The single spin asymmetry A_N, for large P_T single inclusive particle production in p(transv. pol.) p collisions, is considered within a generalised parton model and a transverse momentum dependent factorisation scheme. The focus is on the Sivers effect and the study of its potential contribution to A_N, based on a careful analysis of the Sivers functions extracted from azimuthal asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering processes. It is found that such Sivers functions could explain most features of the A_N data, including some recent STAR results which show the persistence of a non zero A_N up to surprisingly large P_T values.