Sivers effect and the single spin asymmetry A_N in p(transv. pol.) p --> h X processes

Abstract

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.

RevTex4, 15 pages, 19 eps figures, 1 Table. v2: Few comments and references added, conclusion section extended, results unchanged. Published in Phys. Rev. D