Spin physics with STAR

Abstract

The STAR collaboration aims to study polarized proton-proton collisions at RHIC. The emphasis of the spin run this year is on transverse single spin asymmetries. Beyond 2001, we aim to determine directly and precisely the gluon polarization, as well as the polarizations of the u, $\bar{u}$, d and $\bar{d}$ quarks in the proton by measuring in addition longitudinal and double spin asymmetries. Furthermore, we aim to measure for the first time the quark transversity distributions. These measurements will improve substantially the knowledge and understanding of the spin structure of the nucleon.