Next-to-Next-to-Leading Order Global Analysis of Polarized Parton Distribution Functions.

We present a next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) global QCD analysis of the proton's helicity parton distribution functions, the first of its kind. To obtain the distributions, we use data for longitudinal spin asymmetries in inclusive and semi-inclusive lepton-nucleon scattering as well as in weak-boson and hadron or jet production in proton-proton scattering. We analyze the data using QCD perturbation theory at NNLO accuracy, employing approximations provided by the threshold resummation formalism in cases where full NNLO results for partonic hard-scattering functions are not readily available.

Evidence for polarization of gluons in the proton.

We discuss the impact of recent high-statistics Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider data on the determination of the gluon polarization in the proton in the context of a global QCD analysis of polarized parton distributions. We find evidence for a nonvanishing polarization of gluons in the region of momentum fraction and at the scales mostly probed by the data. Although information from low momentum fractions is presently lacking, this finding is suggestive of a significant contribution of gluon spin to the proton spin, thereby limiting the amount of orbital angular momentum required to balance the proton spin budget.

Probing gluonic spin-orbit correlations in photon pair production.

We consider photon pair production in hadronic collisions at large mass and small transverse momentum of the pair, assuming that factorization in terms of transverse-momentum dependent parton distributions applies. The unpolarized cross section is found to have azimuthal angular dependencies that are generated by a gluonic version of the Boer-Mulders function. In addition, the single transversely polarized cross section is sensitive to the gluon Sivers function.

Soft-gluon resummation and the valence parton distribution function of the pion.

We determine the valence parton distribution function of the pion by performing a new analysis of data for the Drell-Yan process π- N → μ+ μ- X. Compared to previous analyses, we include next-to-leading-logarithmic threshold resummation effects in the calculation of the Drell-Yan cross section. As a result of these, we find a considerably softer valence distribution at high momentum fractions x than obtained in previous next-to-leading-order analyses, in line with expectations based on perturbative-QCD counting rules or Dyson-Schwinger equations.

Test of the universality of naive-time-reversal-odd fragmentation functions.

We investigate the "spontaneous" hyperon transverse polarization in e+ e- annihilation and semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering processes as a test of the universality of the naive-time-reversal-odd transverse momentum dependent fragmentation functions. We find that universality implies definite sign relations among various observables. This provides a unique opportunity to study initial or final state interaction effects in the fragmentation process and test the associated factorization.

Global analysis of helicity parton densities and their uncertainties.

We present a new analysis of the helicity parton distributions of the nucleon. The analysis takes into account the available data from inclusive and semi-inclusive polarized deep inelastic scattering, as well as from polarized proton-proton (p-p) scattering at RHIC. For the first time, all theoretical calculations are performed fully at next-to-leading order (NLO) of perturbative QCD, using a method that allows incorporation of the NLO corrections in a very fast and efficient way in the analysis.

Unified picture for single transverse-spin asymmetries in hard-scattering processes.

Using lepton-pair production in hadron-hadron collisions as an example, we explore the relation between two well-known mechanisms for single-transverse-spin asymmetries in hard processes: twist-three quark-gluon correlations when the pair's transverse momentum is large, q perpendicular >> Lambda QCD, and time-reversal-odd and transverse-momentum-dependent parton distributions when q perpendicular is much less than the pair's mass. We find that, although the two mechanisms each have their own domain of validity, they describe the same physics in the kinematic region where they overlap. This unifies the two mechanisms and imposes an important constraint on phenomenological studies.

Perturbative generation of a strange-quark asymmetry in the nucleon.

We point out that perturbative evolution in QCD at three loops generates a strange-antistrange asymmetry s(x) - s(x) in the nucleon's sea just from the fact that the nucleon has nonvanishing up and down quark valence densities. The recently computed three-loop splitting functions allow for an estimate of this effect. We find that a fairly sizable asymmetry may be generated.

QCD hard scattering and the sign of the spin asymmetry A(pi)LL.

Recent preliminary PHENIX data are consistent with a negative and sizable longitudinal double-spin asymmetry A(pi)(LL) for pi(0) production at moderate transverse momentum p( perpendicular ) approximately 1-4 GeV and central rapidity. By means of a systematic investigation of the relevant degrees of freedom, we show that the perturbative QCD framework at leading power in p( perpendicular ) produces at best a very small negative asymmetry in this kinematic range.