An examination of STAR 2012 π0 data at 0.8 < η < 2.0 with longitudinally polarized p + p collisions at √s = 510 GeV
Primary Submission Contact
Stephen Place
Faculty Sponsor
Adam Gibson-Even
Faculty Sponsor Email Address
adam.gibson-even@valpo.edu
College
Arts and Sciences
Department/Program
Physics
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Date
Fall 9-12-2014
Abstract
A recent global analysis of the proton spin has provided evidence for positive gluon polarization Δg(x) for the momentum fraction range of 0.05 < x < 1. The region x < 0.05 remains relatively poorly constrained, and may provide a significant contribution to the spin of the proton. The STAR detector can be used to measure the effects of quark and gluon spins in the proton through the measurement of asymmetries in π0 production for different polarization states. The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory is uniquely able to collide polarized protons. Data from the p + p run in 2012 has significantly higher integrated luminosity and at a center of mass energy of 510 GeV, higher than previously analyzed datasets, thus allowing better access to Δg(x) at low x. The STAR endcap electromagnetic calorimeter, or EEMC, is able to detect π0's in the range of pseudorapidity 0.8 < η < 2.0, a region at this energy where Δg(x) for low x can be examined. Preliminary work on 2012 data will be shown.
Recommended Citation
Place, Stephen; Langholz, Erik; and Brandt, Samuel, "An examination of STAR 2012 π0 data at 0.8 < η < 2.0 with longitudinally polarized p + p collisions at √s = 510 GeV" (2014). Fall Interdisciplinary Research Symposium. 58.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/fires/58
