Effects of transversity in deep-inelastic scattering by polarized protons

Abstract

Single-spin asymmetries for pions and charged kaons are measured in semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering of positrons and electrons off a transversely nuclear-polarized hydrogen target. The dependence of the cross section on the azimuthal angles of the target polarization (ϕS) and the produced hadron (ϕ) is found to have a substantial sin(ϕ+ϕS) modulation for the production of π+, π− and K+. This Fourier component can be interpreted in terms of non-zero transversity distribution functions and non-zero favored and disfavored Collins fragmentation functions with opposite sign. For π0 and K− production the amplitude of this Fourier component is consistent with zero.