High precision measurements of alpha_s at the future EIC

TL;DR

This paper projects that the future Electron-Ion Collider will enable highly precise measurements of the strong coupling constant alpha_s, significantly improving current precision levels through advanced detection and analysis methods.

Contribution

It introduces a projection study demonstrating the potential of the EIC to measure alpha_s with 1.3% precision using novel double-tagging techniques and spin structure function analysis.

Findings

Projected 1.3% precision in alpha_s measurement at the Z-pole

Double-tagging method reduces uncertainty in neutron spin asymmetries

EIC's potential for high-precision QCD parameter determination

Abstract

We present a projection study for the first moments of the inclusive spin structure function for the proton and neutron from simulated doubly-polarized e+p and e+3He collision data expected from the Electron-Ion collider. For detection and extraction of the neutron spin asymmetries from e+3He collisions, we used the double-tagging method which significantly reduces the uncertainty over the traditional inclusive method. Using the Bjorken sum rule, the projected results allow us to determine that the QCD coupling at the Z-pole alpha_s can be measured with a relative precision of 1.3%. This underscores the significance of the EIC for achieving precision determinations of alpha_s.