Transverse double-spin asymmetries for electroweak gauge-boson production in high-energy polarized $p^{\uparrow} + p^{\uparrow}$ collisions

TL;DR

This paper discusses the measurement and theoretical analysis of transverse double-spin asymmetries in W and Z boson production in polarized proton-proton collisions at RHIC, highlighting their significance for understanding spin structure.

Contribution

It introduces the importance of measuring $A_{TT}$ asymmetries in electroweak boson production at RHIC and discusses theoretical issues related to these asymmetries, with insights from 2017 data and future prospects.

Findings

Transverse double-spin asymmetries $A_{TT}$ are crucial for spin physics.

Theoretical issues in predicting $A_{TT}$ are addressed.

2017 RHIC data provides initial insights into $A_{TT}$ measurements.

Abstract

We consider the production of $W$ and $Z / \gamma^{*}$ gauge bosons in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s} = 510 \mbox{GeV}$ available at RHIC at BNL, operating at high luminosity. We stress the importance of measuring the transverse double-spin asymmetries $A_{TT}$, in connection with available transversely polarized beams with a high degree of polarisation. We will discuss some theoretical issues related to the predicted asymmetries. These studies are contrasted to the 2017 RHIC running operation of transversely polarized beams of mid-rapidity $W$ and $Z$ boson production at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=510\,$GeV along with long-term prospects beyond 2020 at RHIC.