Interference Fragmentation Functions and the Nucleon's Transversity

Abstract

We introduce twist-two quark interference fragmentation functions in helicity density matrix formalism and study their physical implications. We show how the nucleon's transversity distribution can be probed through the final state interaction between two mesons ( ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, $K\overline{K}$, or $\ensuremath{\pi}K$) produced in the current fragmentation region in deep inelastic scattering on a transversely polarized nucleon.