Cross section and longitudinal single-spin asymmetry $A_L$ for forward $W^{\pm}\rightarrow\mu^{\pm}\nu$ production in polarized $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=510$ GeV

TL;DR

This paper reports measurements of W boson production and single-spin asymmetries in polarized proton collisions at 510 GeV, offering new insights into sea quark helicities and flavor separation in the proton.

Contribution

It presents the first measurements of forward W production asymmetries at 510 GeV, enhancing understanding of sea quark polarization and flavor structure.

Findings

Cross sections align with previous measurements.

Forward and backward asymmetries reveal sea quark helicity information.

Charge separation aids in flavor-specific parton analysis.

Abstract

We have measured the cross section and single spin asymmetries from forward $W^{\pm}\rightarrow\mu^{\pm}\nu$ production in longitudinally polarized $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=510$ GeV using the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The cross sections are consistent with previous measurements at this collision energy, while the most forward and backward longitudinal single spin asymmetries provide new insights into the sea quark helicities in the proton. The charge of the W bosons provides a natural flavor separation of the participating partons.