QCD Spin Physics: Partonic Spin Structure of the Nucleon

Abstract

We discuss some recent developments concerning the nucleon's helicity parton distribution functions: New preliminary data from jet production at RHIC suggest for the first time a non-vanishing polarization of gluons in the nucleon. SIDIS measurements at COMPASS provide better constraints on the strange and light sea quark helicity distributions. Single-longitudinal spin asymmetries in W-boson production have been observed at RHIC and will ultimately give new insights into the light quark and anti-quark helicity structure of the nucleon.

Comments: Talk presented at the "International School of Nuclear Physics, 33rd Course: From Quarks and Gluons to Hadrons and Nuclei", Erice, Italy, 16 - 24 September 2011; 12 pages, 9 figures