PHENIX Measurements of the Double Helicity Asymmetry in Neutral Pion Production in Polarized p+p Collisions at $\sqrt{s}=200$ and 500 GeV

ORAL

Abstract

Measurement of the gluon's contribution to the proton spin, $\Delta G$, is an important component of the RHIC spin program. One particular avenue for constraining $\Delta G$ is through the $\pi^{0}$ double helicity asymmetry, $A_{LL}$. The large $p+p \rightarrow \pi^{0}$ cross section coupled with the high resolution of the PHENIX EM-Calorimeter make this an attractive measurement. Significant constraints have already come from 2005 and 2006 PHENIX measurements in $\sqrt{s}=200$ GeV polarized proton collisions. In 2009, $\sqrt{s}=200$ GeV running saw a near doubling in the figure of merit ($P^4 L$) compared to 2006, due to a large increase in luminosity ($L$) with $\sim$57\% polarization ($P$). Also, the first data at $\sqrt{s}=500$ GeV were recorded, which will push the constraints to lower momentum fraction x. The status of the 200 and 500 GeV analyses will be presented.

Authors

  • Kieran Boyle

    RIKEN BNL Research Center