arXiv subjects

S. Melis

Publications and source records attributed to S. Melis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2015

Transverse single-spin asymmetries in proton-proton collisions at the AFTER@LHC experiment in a TMD factorisation scheme

The inclusive large-$p_T$ production of a single pion, jet or direct photon, and Drell-Yan processes, are considered for proton-proton collisions in the kinematical range expected for the fixed-target experiment AFTER, proposed at LHC. For all these processes, predictions are given for the transverse single-spin asymmetry, $A_N$, computed according to a Generalised Parton Model previously discussed in the literature and based on TMD factorisation. Comparisons with the results of a collinear twist-3 approach, recently presented, are made and discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

Extracting the Kaon Collins function from $e^+e^-$ hadron pair production data

The latest data released by the BaBar Collaboration on azimuthal correlations measured for pion-kaon and kaon-kaon pairs produced in $e^+e^-$ annihilations allow, for the first time, a direct extraction of the kaon Collins functions. These functions are then used to compute the kaon Collins asymmetries in Semi Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering processes, which result in good agreement with the measurements performed by the HERMES and COMPASS Collaborations.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

Collins functions for pions from SIDIS and new e+e- data: a first glance at their transverse momentum dependence

New data from Belle and BaBar Collaborations on azimuthal asymmetries, measured in e+e- annihilations into pion pairs at Q^2=112 GeV^2, allow to take the first, direct glance at the transverse momentum dependence of the Collins functions, in addition to their z dependence. These data, together with available Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering (SIDIS) data on the Collins asymmetry, are simultaneously analysed in the framework of the generalised parton model assuming two alternative Q^2 evolution schemes and exploiting two different parameterisations for the Collins functions. The corresponding results for the transversity distributions are presented. Analogous data, newly released by the BESIII Collaboration, on e+e- annihilations into pion pairs at the lower Q^2 of 13 GeV^2, offer the possibility to explore the sensitivity of these azimuthal correlations on transverse momentum dependent evolution effects.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

A phenomenological analysis of azimuthal asymmetries in unpolarized semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering

We present a phenomenological analysis of the cos-phi and cos-2phi asymmetries in unpolarized semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering, based on the recent multidimensional data released by the COMPASS and HERMES Collaborations. In the TMD framework, valid at relatively low transverse momenta, these asymmetries arise from intrinsic transverse momentum and transverse spin effects, and from their correlations. The role of the Cahn and Boer-Mulders effects in both azimuthal moments is explored up to order 1/Q. As the kinematics of the present experiments is dominated by the low-Q^2 region, higher-twist contributions turn out to be important, affecting the results of our fits.

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arXiv2014

Phenomenological implementations of TMD evolution

Although the theoretical set-up of TMD evolution appears to be well established, its phenomenological implementations still require special attention, particularly as far as the interplay between perturbative and non-perturbative contributions is concerned. These issues have been extensively studied in Drell-Yan processes, where they seem to be reasonably under control. Instead, applying the same prescriptions and methodologies to Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic (SIDIS) processes is, at present, far from obvious. Some of the controversies related to the applications of TMD Evolution to SIDIS processes will be discussed with practical examples, exploring different kinematical configurations of SIDIS experiments.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

A study on the interplay between perturbative QCD and CSS/TMD formalism in SIDIS processes

We study the Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering (SIDIS) cross section as a function of the transverse momentum, $q_T$. In order to describe it over a wide region of $q_T$, soft gluon resummation has to be performed. Here we will use the original Collins-Soper-Sterman (CSS) formalism; however, the same procedure would hold within the improved Transverse Momentum Dependent (TMD) framework. We study the matching between the region where fixed order perturbative QCD can successfully be applied and the region where soft gluon resummation is necessary. We find that the commonly used prescription of matching through the so-called Y-factor cannot be applied in the SIDIS kinematical configurations we examine. In particular, the non-perturbative component of the resummed cross section turns out to play a crucial role and should not be overlooked even at relatively high energies. Moreover, the perturbative expansion of the resummed cross section in the matching region is not as reliable as it is usually believed and its treatment requires special attention.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

A_N in inclusive lepton-proton collisions

Some estimates for the transverse single spin asymmetry, A_N, in the inclusive processes l p(transv. pol.) -> h X are compared with new experimental data. The calculations are based on the Sivers and Collins functions as extracted from SIDIS azimuthal asymmetries, within a transverse momentum dependent factorization approach. The values of A_N thus obtained agree in sign and shape with the data. Predictions for future experiments are also given.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

Single Spin Asymmetries in l p(transv. pol.) --> h X processes and TMD factorisation

Some estimates for the transverse Single Spin Asymmetry, A_N, in the inclusive processes l p(transv. pol.) --> h X, given in a previous paper, are expanded and compared with new experimental data. The predictions are based on the Sivers distributions and the Collins fragmentation functions which fit the azimuthal asymmetries measured in Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering (SIDIS) processes (l p(transv. pol.) --> l' h X). The factorisation in terms of Transverse Momentum Dependent distribution and fragmentation functions (TMD factorisation) -- i.e., the theoretical framework in which SIDIS azimuthal asymmetries are analysed -- is assumed to hold also for the inclusive process l p --> h X at large P_T. The values of A_N thus obtained agree in sign and shape with the data. Some predictions are given for future experiments.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Unpolarised Transverse Momentum Dependent Distribution and Fragmentation Functions from SIDIS Multiplicities

The unpolarised transverse momentum dependent distribution and fragmentation functions are extracted from HERMES and COMPASS experimental measurements of SIDIS multiplicities for charged hadron production. The data are grouped into independent bins of the kinematical variables, in which the TMD factorisation is expected to hold. A simple factorised functional form of the TMDs is adopted, with a Gaussian dependence on the intrinsic transverse momentum, which turns out to be quite adequate in shape. HERMES data do not need any normalisation correction, while fits of the COMPASS data much improve with a $y$-dependent overall normalisation factor. A comparison of the extracted TMDs with previous EMC and JLab data confirms the adequacy of the simple Gaussian distributions. The possible role of the TMD evolution is briefly considered.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Sivers effect and the single spin asymmetry A_N in p(transv. pol.) p --> h X processes

The single spin asymmetry A_N, for large P_T single inclusive particle production in p(transv. pol.) p collisions, is considered within a generalised parton model and a transverse momentum dependent factorisation scheme. The focus is on the Sivers effect and the study of its potential contribution to A_N, based on a careful analysis of the Sivers functions extracted from azimuthal asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering processes. It is found that such Sivers functions could explain most features of the A_N data, including some recent STAR results which show the persistence of a non zero A_N up to surprisingly large P_T values.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Simultaneous extraction of transversity and Collins functions from new SIDIS and e+e- data

We present a global re-analysis of the most recent experimental data on azimuthal asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering, from the HERMES and COMPASS Collaborations, and in e+e- --> h_1 h_2 X processes, from the Belle Collaboration. The transversity and the Collins functions are extracted simultaneously, in the framework of a revised analysis in which a new parameterisation of the Collins functions is also tested.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

On the potential role of the Collins effect in A_N in pp --> pion X

Transverse single spin asymmetries in pp --> pion X processes, while on a quite firm ground experimentally, are still a much debated phenomenological issue. We consider them in a transverse momentum dependent factorization scheme. After revisiting a previous result, we give new estimates of the Collins contribution by adopting the latest information on the Collins and transversity functions, as extracted from SIDIS and e+e- data.

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arXiv2012

Phenomenology of Sivers Effect with TMD Evolution

Following the TMD evolution scheme recently proposed for the unpolarized and the Sivers distribution function, we propose a simple strategy to take into account this TMD Q^2 dependence in our phenomenological extraction of the Sivers function from SIDIS data. New results are presented and possible future applications are discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

On the role of Collins effect in the single spin asymmetry A_N in p(transv. polarized) p --> h X processes

The much debated issue of the transverse single spin asymmetry A_N observed in the inclusive large P_T production of a single hadron in pp interactions, p(transv. polarized) p --> pion X, is considered in a TMD factorization scheme. A previous result [1,2] stating that the maximum contribution of the Collins effect is strongly suppressed, is revisited, correcting a numerical error. New estimates are given, adopting the Collins functions recently extracted from SIDIS and e+e- data, and phenomenological consequences are discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

A strategy towards the extraction of the Sivers function with TMD evolution

The QCD evolution of the unpolarized Transverse Momentum Dependent (TMD) distribution functions and of the Sivers functions have been discussed in recent papers. Following such results we reconsider previous extractions of the Sivers functions from semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering data and propose a simple strategy which allows to take into account the Q^2 dependence of the TMDs in comparison with experimental findings. A clear evidence of the phenomenological success of the TMD evolution equations is given, mostly, by the newest COMPASS data off a transversely polarized proton target.

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arXiv2011

Sivers distribution functions and the latest SIDIS data

We present an extraction of the Sivers distribution functions from the most recent experimental data of the HERMES and COMPASS experiments, assuming a negligible contribution of sea quark Sivers functions.

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arXiv2011

Partonic Transverse Motion in Unpolarized Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering

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arXiv2011

Partonic Transverse Motion in Unpolarized Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering Processes

We analyse the role of partonic transverse motion in unpolarized Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering (SIDIS) processes. Imposing appropriate kinematical conditions, we find some constraints which fix an upper limit to the range of allowed k_perp values. We show that, applying these additional requirements on the partonic kinematics, we obtain different results with respect to the usual phenomenological approach based on the Gaussian smearing with analytical integration over an unlimited range of k_perp values. These variations are particularly interesting for some observables, like the < cos phi_h > azimuthal modulation of the unpolarized SIDIS cross section or the average transverse momentum of the final, detected hadron.

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