Exploring Nucleon Spin Structure in Longitudinally Polarized Collisions

Abstract

We review how RHIC is expected to deepen our understanding of the spin structure of longitudinally polarized nucleons. After briefly outlining the current status of spin-dependent parton densities and pointing out open questions, we focus on theoretical calculations and predictions relevant for the RHIC spin program. Estimates of the expected statistical accuracy for such measurements are presented, taking into account the acceptance of the RHIC detectors.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, uses aipproc style, invited talk presented at the 15th International Spin Physics Symposium 'SPIN 2002', Sept. 9-14 2002, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, N