Probing the three-gluon correlation functions by the single spin asymmetry in p^\uparrow p\to DX

Abstract

We study the single transverse-spin asymmetry for the inclusive open-charm production in the pp-collision, p^\uparrow p\to DX, induced by the three-gluon correlation functions in the polarized nucleon. We derive the corresponding twist-3 cross section formula in the leading order with respect to the QCD coupling constant. As in the case of the semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering, ep^\uparrow\to eDX, our result differs from the previous result in the literature. We also derive a "master formula" which expresses the twist-3 cross section in terms of the gg\to c\bar{c} hard scattering cross section. We present a model calculation of the asymmetry at the RHIC energy, demonstrating the sensitivity of the asymmetry on the form of the three-gluon correlation functions.

Comments: 25 pages, 7 figures. Final version to appear in PRD. Some changes in the section of numerical calculation included