Eur. Phys. J. C (2007) 51: 619-624
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-007-0312-9

Regular Article - Theoretical Physics

Single spin asymmetry for charm mesons

¹ PIMAyC, Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas No. 152, Apdo. Postal 14-805, 07730, D.F., Mexico
² Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Apdo. Postal 14-740, 07300, D.F., Mexico

^* e-mail: gherrera@fis.cinvestav.mx

Received: 31 October 2006
Revised: 17 February 2007
Published online: 17 May 2007

Abstract

We study single spin asymmetries of D̄⁰ and D^- mesons in polarized proton–proton collisions. A two component model is used to describe charm meson production. The production of D mesons occurs by recombination of the constituents present in the initial state as well as by fragmentation of quarks in the final state. This model has proved to describe the production of charm. The recombination component involves a mechanism of spin alignment that ends up in a single spin asymmetry. Experimental measurements of single spin asymmetry for pions at RHIC are compared with the model. Predictions for the asymmetry in D mesons are presented.