Probing the three-gluon correlation functions by the single spin asymmetry in p^\uparrow p\to DX

TL;DR

This paper investigates the single transverse-spin asymmetry in proton-proton collisions producing open charm, using twist-3 three-gluon correlation functions, and provides a new formula relating the asymmetry to gluon scattering processes.

Contribution

It derives a new twist-3 cross section formula for the asymmetry, differing from previous results, and introduces a master formula linking the cross section to gluon scattering.

Findings

Asymmetry is sensitive to three-gluon correlations.

Derived a new twist-3 cross section formula.

Demonstrated model predictions at RHIC energies.

Abstract

We study the single transverse-spin asymmetry for the inclusive open-charm production in the pp-collision, p^\uparrow p\to DX, induced by the three-gluon correlation functions in the polarized nucleon. We derive the corresponding twist-3 cross section formula in the leading order with respect to the QCD coupling constant. As in the case of the semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering, ep^\uparrow\to eDX, our result differs from the previous result in the literature. We also derive a "master formula" which expresses the twist-3 cross section in terms of the gg\to c\bar{c} hard scattering cross section. We present a model calculation of the asymmetry at the RHIC energy, demonstrating the sensitivity of the asymmetry on the form of the three-gluon correlation functions.