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Impact Parameter Dependent Parton Distributions and Transverse Single Spin Asymmetries

Matthias Burkardt

hep-pharXiv:hep-ph/0209179

Abstract

Generalized parton distributions (GPDs) with purely transverse momentum transfer can be interpreted as Fourier transforms of the distribution of partons in impact parameter space. The helicity-flip GPD E(x,0,-) is related to the distortion of parton distribution functions in impact parameter space if the target is not a helicity eigenstate, but has some transverse polarization. This transverse distortion can be used to develop an intuitive explanation for various transverse single spin asymmetries.

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