Transverse momentum dependent forward neutron single spin asymmetries in transversely polarized $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=200$ GeV

TL;DR

This paper measures the transverse momentum dependence of single-spin asymmetries of forward neutrons in polarized proton-proton collisions at 200 GeV, aiming to improve understanding of the underlying mechanisms.

Contribution

It introduces a method to extract the explicit transverse-momentum dependence of neutron asymmetries, providing new insights into spin asymmetry mechanisms.

Findings

Transverse-momentum dependence of neutron asymmetries measured

Method developed for unfolding transverse momentum

Results enhance understanding of asymmetry origins

Abstract

In 2015, the PHENIX collaboration has measured very forward ($\eta>6.8$) single-spin asymmetries of inclusive neutrons in transversely polarized proton-proton and proton-nucleus collisions at a center of mass energy of 200 GeV. A previous publication from this data set concentrated on the nuclear dependence of such asymmetries. In this measurement the explicit transverse-momentum dependence of inclusive neutron single spin asymmetries for proton-proton collisions is extracted using a bootstrapping-unfolding technique on the transverse momenta. This explicit transverse-momentum dependence will help improve the understanding of the mechanisms that create these asymmetries.