Probing the Nucleon's Transversity Via Two-Meson Production in Polarized Nucleon-Nucleon Collisions

TL;DR

This paper investigates a method to measure the nucleon's transversity distribution by analyzing two-meson production in polarized nucleon-nucleon collisions, focusing on final state interactions and single spin asymmetries.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to probe transversity using two-meson final states and estimates the asymmetry magnitude based on certain assumptions.

Findings

Single spin asymmetry can be significant under specific conditions

Final state interactions provide a viable probe for transversity

Estimated asymmetry magnitude depends on interference fragmentation functions

Abstract

We explore the possibility of probing the nucleon's transversity distribution $\delta q(x)$ through the final state interaction between two mesons ($\pi^+\pi^-$, $\pi K$, or $K\bar K$) produced in transversely polarized nucleon-nucleon collisions. We present a single spin asymmetry and estimate its magnitude under some assumptions for the transversity distribution function and the unknown interference fragmentation function.