arXiv subjects

Aram Kotzinian

Publications and source records attributed to Aram Kotzinian.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

New way to access the quark fragmentation functions in electron-positron annihilation

The description of the polarized quark hadronization process is one of the most challenging problems in the physics of strong interactions. The various single hadron and dihadron fragmentation functions, that quantify this process, are determined by analyzing the inclusive production of hadrons in electron-positron semi-inclusive annihilation process (SIA). These, in turn, are used to extract the transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions from the experiments on semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering process (SIDIS), elucidating the spin-orbit correlations in nucleon. Here we present a framework for new measurements of polarized quark fragmentation functions in electron-positron annihilation and deep inelastic semi-inclusive processes. These measurements offer a number of exciting opportunities to improve our understanding of the polarized quark hadronization and test the universality of the fragmentation functions. Such measurements can be performed at the upcoming BELLE II, JLab-12 and the future EIC experiments

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arXiv2018

Semi-inclusive back-to-back production of a hadron pair and a single hadron in $e^+e^-$ annihilation

Inclusive hadron production in $e^+e^-$ annihilation has long been used to study both single hadron fragmentation functions (FF) and dihadron fragmentation functions (DiFF). In particular, the polarized DiFFs can be accessed in electron-positron annihilation by measuring azimuthal correlations between two back-to-back pairs of hadrons in the center of mass system, where the relevant structure functions can be expressed as convolutions of two (polarized) DiFFs. Here we explore the advantages of measuring the inclusive back-to-back production of a single hadron on one side against a hadron pair on the opposite side of the detector in two jet events. The leading twist cross section for this process contains convolutions of the corresponding single hadron FFs on one side and the DiFFs for the hadron pair on the other side, which furnishes several interesting new opportunities. A measurement of the unpolarized cross section with a number of different types of observed hadrons will help in untangling the quark flavor dependence of the unpolarized DiFFs, when the results are analyzed together with the inclusive measurements of dihadron pairs, such as those recently performed by the $\texttt{BELLE}$ collaboration. Even more interesting, with a polarized hyperon on one side we can study the quark spin-dependent DiFFs of an unpolarized hadron pair on the other side. This, in turn, will allow us to test the universality of the spin-dependent DiFFs entering the cross sections of electron-positron annihilation and semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering processes.

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arXiv2018

Semi-inclusive production of two back-to-back hadron pairs in $e^+e^-$ annihilation revisited

The cross section for back-to-back hadron pair production in $e^+e^-$ annihilation provides access to the dihadron fragmentation functions (DiFF) needed to extract nucleon parton distribution functions from the semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) experiments with two detected final state hadrons. Particular attention is given to the so-called interference DiFF (IFF), which makes it possible to extract the transversity parton distribution of the nucleon in the collinear framework. However, previously unnoticed discrepancies were recently highlighted between the definitions of the IFFs appearing in the collinear kinematics when reconstructed from DiFFs entering the unintegrated fully differential cross sections of SIDIS and $e^+e^-$ annihilation processes. In this work, to clarify this problem we rederive the fully differential cross section for $e^+e^-$ annihilation at the leading-twist approximation. We find a mistake in the definition of the kinematics in the original expression that systematically affects a subset of terms and that leads to two significant consequences. First, the discrepancy between the IFF definitions in the cross sections for SIDIS and $e^+e^-$ annihilation is resolved. Second, the previously derived azimuthal asymmetry for accessing the helicity dependent DiFF $G_1^\perp$ in $e^+e^-$ annihilation vanishes, which explains the nonobservation of this asymmetry in the recent experimental searches by the ${\tt BELLE}$ Collaboration. We discuss the recently proposed alternative option to extract $G_1^\perp$.

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arXiv2018

Accessing Quark Helicity through Dihadron Studies

We present a new proposal to study the helicity-dependent dihadron fragmentation functions (DiFF), which describe the correlations of the longitudinal polarization of a fragmenting quark with the transverse momenta of the produced hadron pair. Recent experimental searches for this DiFF via azimuthal asymmetries in back-to-back hadron pair production in $e^+e^-$ annihilation by the ${\tt BELLE}$ Collaboration did not yield a signal. Here we propose a new way to access this DiFF in $e^+e^-$ annihilation, motivated by the recently recalculated cross section of this reaction, which explains why there was in fact no signal for the ${\tt BELLE}$ Collaboration to see. In this new approach the azimuthal asymmetry is weighted by the virtual photon's transverse momentum square multiplying sine and cosine functions of difference of azimuthal angles of relative and total momentum for each pair. The integration over the virtual photon's transverse momentum has the effect of separating the convolution between the helicity-dependent DiFFs in the quark and antiquark jets and results in a nonzero collinear expression containing Fourier moments of helicity-dependent DiFFs. A second new measurement is also proposed for two-hadron production in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering, where the asymmetry is weighted in a similar way for a single pair. This results in a collinear factorized form of the asymmetry, which includes the quark helicity parton distribution function and the same helicity-dependent DiFF as in $e^+e^-$ production and will allow us to check the universality of this DiFF.

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arXiv2018

Dihadron fragmentation functions in the quark-jet model: Transversely polarized quarks

Within the most recent extension of the quark-jet hadronization framework, we explore the transverse-polarization-dependent dihadron fragmentation functions (DiFFs) $H_1^\sphericalangle$ and $H_1^\perp$ of a quark into $π^+π^-$ pairs. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations are employed to model polarized quark hadronization and calculate the corresponding number densities. These, in turn, are used to extract the Fourier cosine moments of the DiFFs $H_1^\sphericalangle$ and $H_1^\perp$. A notable finding is that there are previously unnoticed apparent discrepancies between the definitions of the so-called interference DiFF (IFF) $H_1^\sphericalangle$, entering the cross sections for two-hadron semi-inclusive electroproduction, and those involved in the production of two pairs of hadrons from back-to-back jets in electron-positron annihilation. This manuscript completes the studies of all four leading twist DiFFs for unpolarized hadron pairs within the quark-jet framework, following our previous work on the helicity-dependent DiFF $G_1^\perp$.

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arXiv2017

Dihadron fragmentation functions in the quark-jet model: Longitudinally polarized quarks

We study the dihadron fragmentation functions (DiFF) of longitudinally polarized quarks into pion pairs. The quark-jet framework is used to model the sequential hadronization of a polarized quark into hadrons, where the polarization transfer to the remnant quark in each hadron emission step is calculated using the spin density matrix formalism. Using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of the hadronization process, we find a nonvanishing helicity dependent DiFF, $G_1^\perp$ , which is also related to the longitudinal jet handedness. A method is developed for extracting the angular moments of this DiFF, which enter the expressions for the azimuthal asymmetries for an electron-positron annihilation process into two pairs of hadrons from back-to-back jets and the dihadron production in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering. Finally, we derive explicit integral expressions for DiFFs where only two hadrons are emitted by a quark and use them to validate our MC results for both unpolarized and helicity dependent DiFFs.

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arXiv2017

Monte Carlo Implementation of Polarized Hadronization

We study the polarized quark hadronization in a Monte Carlo (MC) framework based on the recent extension of the quark-jet framework, where a self-consistent treatment of the quark polarization transfer in a sequential hadronization picture has been presented. Here, we first adopt this approach for MC simulations of hadronization process with finite number of produced hadrons, expressing the relevant probabilities in terms of the eight leading twist quark-to-quark transverse momentum dependent (TMD) splitting functions (SFs) for elementary $q \to q'+h$ transition. We present explicit expressions for the unpolarized and Collins fragmentation functions (FFs) of unpolarized hadrons emitted at rank two. Further, we demonstrate that all the current spectator-type model calculations of the leading twist quark-to-quark TMD SFs violate the positivity constraints, and propose quark model based ansatz for these input functions that circumvents the problem. We validate our MC framework by explicitly proving the absence of unphysical azimuthal modulations of the computed polarized FFs, and by precisely reproducing the earlier derived explicit results for rank two pions. Finally, we present the full results for pion unpolarized and Collins FFs, as well as the corresponding analyzing powers from high statistics MC simulations with a large number of produced hadrons for two different model input elementary SFs. The results for both sets of input functions exhibit the same general features of opposite signed Collins function for favored and unfavored channels at large $z$, and at the same time demonstrate the flexibility of the quark-jet framework by producing significantly different dependences of the results at mid- to low-$z$ for the two model inputs.

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arXiv2015

Predictions for Sivers single spin asymmetries in one- and two-hadron electroproduction at CLAS12 and EIC

The study of the Sivers effect, describing correlations between the transverse polarization of the nucleon and its constituent (unpolarized) parton's transverse momentum, has been the topic of a great deal of experimental, phenomenological and theoretical effort in recent years. Semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering measurements of the corresponding single spin asymmetries (SSA) at the upcoming CLAS12 experiment at JLab and the proposed Electron-Ion Collider will help to pinpoint the flavor structure and the momentum dependence of the Sivers parton distribution function describing this effect. Here we describe a modified version of the $\tt{PYTHIA}$ Monte Carlo event generator that includes the Sivers effect. Then we use it to estimate the size of these SSAs, in the kinematics of these experiments, for both one and two hadron final states of pions and kaons. For this purpose we utilize the existing Sivers parton distribution function (PDF) parametrization extracted from HERMES and COMPASS experiments. Using this modified version of $\tt{PYTHIA}$, we also show that the the leading order approximation commonly used in such extractions may provide significantly underestimated values of Sivers PDFs, as in our Monte Carlo simulations the omitted parton showers and non-DIS processes play an important role in these SSAs, for example in the COMPASS kinematics.

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arXiv2015

Azimuthal Correlations in the Structure Functions of polarized Dihadron Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering

Azimuthal correlations in two hadron production in deep inelastic scattering of unpolarized leptons off transversely polarized nucleon are discussed. Specifically, a simple approach for accessing ratios of structure functions corresponding to Sivers effect and transversity induced single spin azimuthal asymmetries to unpolarized structure functions is presented. This approach is then applied to a sample pseudo-data generated by a modified version of the LEPTO Monte Carlo event generator that includes the Sivers effect. Using this data it is shown, that the azimuthal correlations in the Sivers-like structure functions and the unpolarized structure functions are significantly different. Collins-like single hadron asymmetries in a dihadron sample are also discussed, for which experimental results were recently presented by the COMPASS collaboration.

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arXiv2014

Sivers Effect in Dihadron Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering

The Sivers effect describes the correlation of the unpolarized parton's transverse momentum with the transverse spin of the nucleon. It manifests as a sine modulation of the cross section for single hadron semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) on a transversely polarized nucleon with the azimuthal angle between the produced hadron's transverse momentum and the nucleon spin ($φ_h$ and $φ_S$, respectively). It has been recently suggested that the Sivers effect can also be measured in two hadron SIDIS process as sine modulations involving the azimuthal angles $φ_T$ and $φ_R$ of both the total and the relative transverse momenta of the hadron pair. Here we present the detailed derivation of the two hadron SIDIS cross section using simple parton-model inspired functional forms for both the parton distribution and the fragmentation functions. We show explicitly that the terms corresponding to the $\sin(φ_R-φ_S)$ and $\sin(φ_T-φ_S)$ modulations are non-zero. Further, we derive the cross section expressions for single hadron production in the two hadron sample. Finally, we employ a modified version of the $\tt{LEPTO}$ Monte Carlo event generator that includes the Sivers effect to estimate the size of single spin asymmetries corresponding to these modulations independent of the formalism developed.

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arXiv2014

Sivers Effect in Two-Hadron Electroproduction

The Sivers effect in single hadron semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (DIS) on a transversely polarized nucleon describes the modulation of the cross section with the sine of the azimuthal angle between the produced hadron's transverse momentum and the nucleon spin ($\boldsymbol{P}_h$ and $φ_S$ respectively). This effect is attributed to the so-called Sivers parton distribution function of the nucleon. We employ a simple phenomenological parton model to derive the relevant cross section for two-hadron production in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering including the Sivers effect. We show that the Sivers effect can be observed in such process as sine modulations involving the azimuthal angles $φ_T$ and $φ_R$ of both the total and the relative transverse momenta of the hadron pair. The existence of the modulation with respect to $φ_R$ is new. Finally, we employ a modified version of the $\tt{LEPTO}$ Monte Carlo event generator that includes the Sivers effect to estimate the size of single spin asymmetries corresponding to these modulations. We show that $\sin(φ_R-φ_S)$ modulations can be significant, especially if we impose asymmetric cuts on the momenta of the hadrons in the pairs.

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arXiv2014

Sivers Effect in Dihadron Electroproduction

The Sivers effect in polarized SIDIS can be measured in two hadron production as sine modulations involving the azimuthal angles $φ_T$ and $φ_R$ of both the total and the relative transverse momenta of the hadron pair, complementary to the conventional single hadron studies. In this talk we briefly present the results obtained in our recent work [1] and [2]. We also present the leading order parton model expression for the two hadron SIDIS cross section for different choices of the relative transverse momentum that dismiss the seeming contradiction of our results with previous work. Finally, we show the numerical predictions for the corresponding single spin asymmetries in the kinematics of COMPASS experiment obtained using the modified version of the $\tt{LEPTO}$ Monte Carlo event generator that includes the Sivers effect.

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arXiv2014

Studies of Azimuthal Modulations in Two Hadron Fragmentation of a Transversely Polarised Quark

We study the azimuthal modulations of dihadron fragmentation functions (DiFFs) of a transversely polarised quark using an NJL-jet based model that incorporates the Collins effect for single hadron emission. The DiFFs are extracted as Monte Carlo (MC) averages of corresponding multiplicities using their probabilistic interpretation. To simplify the model and highlight the possible mechanisms that create this modulation, we choose the elementary Collins function to be proportional to the elementary unpolarised fragmentation and a constant probability ($P_{SF}$) for the quark to flip its spin after a single hadron emission. Moreover, as a leading order calculation, only one of the produced hadrons in the decay chain of the quark is produced with elementary Collins modulation. We calculate the dependence of the polarised DiFFs on various angles such as the azimuthal angle of the single hadron and the angle of the two hadron production plane $φ_R$ for several values of $P_{SF}$. We observe that the polarised DiFFs for oppositely charged pion pairs exhibit a $\sin(φ_R)$ modulation. This effect is induced purely via the elementary Collins effect and persists even when the quark completely depolarises after a single hadron emission ($P_{SF}=0.5$). Moreover, similar sine modulations are present in the distribution of pion pairs with respect to the azimuthal angle of their total transverse momentum, $φ_T$.

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arXiv2011

A leading-twist beam-spin asymmetry in double-hadron inclusive lepto-production

We show that a new beam-spin asymmetry appears in deep inelastic inclusive lepto-production at low transverse momenta when a hadron in the target fragmentation region is observed in association with another hadron in the current fragmentation region. The beam leptons are longitudinally polarized while the target nucleons are unpolarized. This asymmetry is a leading-twist effect generated by the correlation between the transverse momentum of quarks and the transverse momentum of the hadron emitted by the target. Experimental signatures of this effect are discussed.

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arXiv2011

Correlations between SIDIS azimuthal asymmetries in target and current fragmentation regions

We shortly describe the leading twist formalism for spin and transverse-momentum dependent fracture functions recently developed and present results for the production of spinless hadrons in the target fragmentation region (TFR) of SIDIS. In this case not all fracture functions can be accessed and only a Sivers-like single spin azimuthal asymmetry shows up at LO cross-section. Then, we show that the process of double hadron production in polarized SIDIS -- with one spinless hadron produced in the current fragmentation region (CFR) and another in the TFR -- would provide access to all 16 leading twist fracture functions. Some particular cases are presented.

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arXiv2011

Double hadron lepto-production in the current and target fragmentation regions

We study the inclusive production of two hadrons in deep inelastic processes, l N ---> l h_1 h_2 X, with h_1 in the current fragmentation region (CFR) and h_2 in the target fragmentation region (TFR). Assuming a factorized scheme, the recently introduced polarized and transverse momentum dependent fracture functions couple to the transverse momentum dependent fragmentation functions. This allows the full exploration of the fracture functions for transversely polarized quarks. Some particular cases are considered.

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arXiv2011

Impact of double TMD effects on transversity measurements at RHIC

A quantitative estimate is presented for the double transverse spin asymmetries at measured q_T in both the Drell-Yan process and W-boson production due to Transverse Momentum Dependent (TMD) effects. These spin asymmetries are calculated as a function of the lepton azimuthal angle as measured in the laboratory frame. In this frame, in contrast to the Collins-Soper frame, the TMD effects contribute to the spin asymmetry A_{TT}(q_T) in the same way as transversity does, which makes them a background for transversity measurements in the Drell-Yan process and new physics studies in W-boson production. Using the current knowledge of the relevant TMDs we conclude that this background is negligible and, therefore, will not hamper transversity measurements nor new physics studies when performed in the laboratory frame. We also point out a cross-check asymmetry measurement to bound the TMD contributions, which is independent of assumptions on the sizes of the relevant TMDs.

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arXiv2011

Double Sivers effect asymmetries and their impact on transversity measurements at RHIC

We study double transverse spin asymmetries in the Drell-Yan process at measured transverse momentum of the lepton pair. Contrary to what a collinear factorization approach would suggest, a nonzero double transverse spin asymmetry in the laboratory frame a priori does not imply nonzero transversity. TMD effects, such as the double Sivers effect, in principle form a background. Using the current knowledge of the relevant TMDs we estimate their contribution in the laboratory frame for Drell-Yan and W production at RHIC and point out a cross check asymmetry measurement to bound the TMD contributions. We also comment on the transverse momentum integrated asymmetries that only receive power suppressed background contributions.

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