First Measurement of the Transverse Spin Asymmetries of the Deuteron in Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering

TL;DR

This paper reports the first measurements of transverse spin asymmetries (Collins and Sivers) in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering of muons on a transversely polarized deuteron target, providing initial experimental insights into nucleon spin structure.

Contribution

It presents the first experimental measurements of Collins and Sivers asymmetries for charged hadrons in muon-deuteron scattering, expanding understanding of transverse spin effects.

Findings

Collins asymmetry compatible with zero

Sivers asymmetry compatible with zero

Data collected at CERN SPS with 160 GeV/c muon beam

Abstract

First measurements of the Collins and Sivers asymmetries of charged hadrons produced in deep-inelastic scattering of muons on a transversely polarized 6-LiD target are presented. The data were taken in 2002 with the COMPASS spectrometer using the muon beam of the CERN SPS at 160 GeV/c. The Collins asymmetry turns out to be compatible with zero, as does the measured Sivers asymmetry within the present statistical errors.