Transverse single spin asymmetries in photon production

Abstract

Transverse single-spin asymmetries (SSA) in inclusive reactions are now considered to be directly related to the transverse momentum ${\bf k}_{T}$ of the fundamental partons involved in the process. We find that the ideal probe to extract information on the gluon Sivers function is the transverse SSA of prompt photon production $p p^{\uparrow} \to \gamma X$, at large $p_T$. The following related processes, $p p^{\uparrow} \to \gamma + jet + X$, $p p^{\uparrow} \to \gamma^* + X \to \mu^+ \mu^- + X$ and $\bar{p} p^{\uparrow} \to \gamma + X$ are also briefly discussed.