Single-Inclusive Hadron Production in Polarized pp Scattering at Next-to-Leading Logarithmic Accuracy

Abstract

We study the resummation of large logarithmic perturbative corrections to the partonic cross sections relevant for the process pp-> h X at high transverse momentum of the hadron h, when the initial protons are longitudinally polarized. We perform the resummation to next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy. We present numerical results for center-of-mass energies of 19.4 GeV, relevant for comparisons to data from the Fermilab E704 experiment, and 62.4 GeV, where preliminary data from RHIC have recently become available. We find significant enhancements of the spin-dependent cross sections, but a decrease of the double-spin asymmetry for the process. This effect is less pronounced at the higher energy.