Polarization options in inclusive DIS off tensor polarized deuteron

Abstract

In the near future, the Jefferson Lab $b_1$ experiment will provide the second measurement of tensor polarized asymmetries in inclusive DIS on the deuteron. In this asymmetry, 4 independent tensor polarized structure functions contribute. This necessitates systematic approximations in the extraction of the leading twist structure function $b_1$ from a single tensor asymmetry measurement. Contamination from higher twist structure functions and kinematic effects is discussed here. Using a deuteron convolution model, we quantify the systematic errors from these approximations for two different choices for the target polarization direction (momentum transfer, electron beam direction). For Jefferson Lab 12 GeV kinematics, the systematic error turns out to be comparable between the two polarization options, while at higher $Q^2$ values the momentum transfer direction is preferred.