Accessing Gluon Polarization Through the J/\u03c8 Longitudinal Double Spin Asymmetry in Polarized pp Collisions at PHENIX

Author

James Aaron Key

Publication Date

9-12-2014

Abstract

To date, the exact distribution of the fundamental property of intrinsic angular momentum, or spin, in the proton amongst its constituents is largely unknown. Through observation of the production of the J/ψ particle in polarized pp collisions at RHIC we are able to further constrain the contribution of the gluon polarization to the total spin polarization of the proton by expanding the global data available into a new kinematic regime.

Degree Name

Physics

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Physics & Astronomy

First Committee Member (Chair)

Gorelov, Igor

Second Committee Member

Gold, Michael

Third Committee Member

Hecht, Adam

Project Sponsors

Department of Energy

Language

English

Keywords

nuclear physics, spin physics, RHIC, phenix, charmonium, heavy flavor, silicon tracking detectors

Document Type

Dissertation

Recommended Citation

Key, James Aaron. "Accessing Gluon Polarization Through the J/\u03c8 Longitudinal Double Spin Asymmetry in Polarized pp Collisions at PHENIX." (2014). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/phyc_etds/32