Differential cross sections, charge production asymmetry, and spin-density matrix elements for D*(2010) produced in 500 GeV/c pi^- nucleon interactions

TL;DR

This paper presents detailed measurements of D*(2010) production cross sections, charge asymmetry, and spin properties in 500 GeV/c pi^- nucleon interactions, providing insights into charm meson production mechanisms.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive measurement of differential cross sections, charge asymmetry, and spin-density matrix elements for D*(2010) in high-energy pion-nucleon collisions.

Findings

No evidence of polarization in D* production.

Average spin alignment near zero for both leading and non-leading particles.

Differential cross sections vary with x_F and p_T^2.

Abstract

We report differential cross sections for the production of D*(2010) produced in 500 GeV/c pi^- nucleon interactions from experiment E791 at Fermilab, as functions of Feynman-x (x_F) and transverse momentum squared (p_T^2). We also report the D* +/- charge asymmetry and spin-density matrix elements as functions of these variables. Investigation of the spin-density matrix elements shows no evidence of polarization. The average values of the spin alignment are \eta= 0.01 +- 0.02 and -0.01 +- 0.02 for leading and non-leading particles, respectively.