Towards a first estimate of the gluon Sivers function from $A_N$ data in $pp$ collisions at RHIC

Abstract

Within a generalized parton model approach, with inclusion of spin and intrinsic transverse momentum effects, we show how the latest, highly precise, midrapidity data on the transverse single spin asymmetry measured in $pp\toπ^0\, X$ by the PHENIX Collaboration at RHIC [1], can be used to get a first estimate on the still poorly known gluon Sivers distribution. To this end we also adopt the present information on the quark Sivers functions, as extracted from semi-inclusive deeply inelastic scattering data. This analysis updates a previous study by some of us where a first bound on this distribution was obtained [2].

RevTex4, 10 pages, 7 eps figures. V2: discussion on the process dependence of the quark Sivers function, with two new plots (Fig. 4), added in Section II. One reference added. Results unchanged. Matches the published version