Parton intrinsic motion: unpolarized cross sections and the Sivers effect in inclusive particle production

We present a detailed study, performed in the framework of LO perturbative QCD with the inclusion of spin and k_T effects, of unpolarized cross sections for the Drell-Yan process and for inclusive pion and photon production in hadronic collisions, in different kinematical situations. We find a satisfactory agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental data. This supports the study of spin effects and transverse single spin asymmetries (SSA) within the same scheme. We then present results for SSA, generated by the so-called Sivers effect, in inclusive pion production in proton-proton collisions

Phenomenology of single transverse spin asymmetries

A unified and consistent phenomenological approach to single transverse spin asymmetries in the framework of perturbative QCD, with the inclusion of a new class of spin and k_T dependent distribution and fragmentation functions, is presented. As an example, results on A_N(p(pol) p --> pion X) and P_Lambda(p p -->Lambda(pol) X) are shown

An improved analysis of k_T effects for SSA in hadronic collisions

The role of intrinsic transverse momentum both in unpolarized and polarized processes is discussed. We consider inclusive cross sections for pion production in hadronic collisions and for Drell-Yan processes. We reanalyze transverse single spin asymmetries (SSA) in inclusive pion production, p(transv. polarized) p --> pion + X, in terms of Sivers effect and show its contribution to A_{UL} in semi-inclusive DIS (SIDIS)

Cross sections and single spin asymmetries in hadronic collisions with intrinsic transverse momentum effects

The role of intrinsic transverse momentum both in unpolarized and polarized processes is discussed. We consider inclusive cross sections for pion production in hadronic collisions and for Drell-Yan processes; the results are compared with available experimental data in several different kinematical situations. We reanalyze transverse single spin asymmetries (SSA) observed in inclusive pion production, p(transv. polarized) p --> pion + X, in terms of Sivers effect and show how it can be disentangled in polarized Drell-Yan processes by suitably integrating over some final configurations. Estimates for RHIC experiments are given

Sivers effect and transverse single spin asymmetries in Drell-Yan processes

Sivers asymmetry, adopted to explain transverse single spin asymmetries (SSA) observed in inclusive pion production, p(transv. polarized) p --> pion + X and p-bar(transv. polarized) p --> pion + X is used here to compute 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 which may originate SSA cannot contribute. Estimates for RHIC experiments are given

A general formalism for single and double spin asymmetries in inclusive hadron production

We present a calculation of single and double spin asymmetries for inclusive hadron production in hadronic collisions. Our approach is based on Leading Order (LO) perturbative QCD and generalized factorization theorems, with full account of intrinsic parton momentum, k_T, effects. This leads to a new class of spin and k_T-dependent distribution and fragmentation functions. Limiting ourselves to consider leading twist functions, we show how they could play a relevant role in producing non-vanishing spin asymmetries

Transverse single spin asymmetries in Drell-Yan processes

Recently, it has been shown, contrary to previous beliefs, that the k_T distribution of quarks in a transversely polarized proton can be asymmetric. This ``Sivers effect'' had already been used to explain transverse single spin asymmetries (SSA) observed in inclusive pion production, p(transv. polarized) p --> pion + X and p-bar(transv. polarized) p --> pion + X. In such channels, however, other mechanisms, like the ``Collins effect'' (a k_T asymmetric fragmentation of a transversely polarized quark into pions), may generate SSA. The Sivers asymmetry is used here to compute 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 which may originate SSA cannot contribute. Estimates for RHIC experiments are given

General helicity formalism for Single and Double Spin Asymmetries in p p --> pion + X

We consider within a generalized QCD factorization approach, the high energy inclusive polarized process p p --> pion + X, including all intrinsic partonic motions. Several new spin and k_T-dependent soft functions appear and contribute to cross sections and spin asymmetries. We present here formal expressions for transverse single spin asymmetries and double longitudinal ones. The transverse single spin asymmetry, A_N, is considered in detail, and all contributions are evaluated numerically. It is shown that the azimuthal phase integrations strongly suppress most contributions, leaving at work mainly the Sivers effect

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 SSA's 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

Transversity and Collins Functions: from e+ e- --> h1 h2 X to SIDIS Processes

We present [1] the first simultaneous extraction of the transversity distribution and the Collins fragmentation function, obtained through a combined analysis of experimental data on azimuthal asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS), from the HERMES and COMPASS Collaborations, and in e+ e- --> h1 h2 X processes, from the Belle Collaboration