Probing u-bar/d-bar Asymmetry in the Proton via W and Z Production

Abstract

The sensitivity of $W$ and $Z$ production at RHIC to the possible $\bar{u}/\bar{d}$ asymmetry in the proton is studied. The ratios of the $W^{+}$ over $W^{-}$ production cross sections in $p+p$ collision, as well as the ratios of the $W^{+}$ and $Z$ production cross sections for $p+p$ over $p+d$ collisions, are shown to be sensitive to this asymmetry. Predictions of various theoretical models for these ratios are presented.

Comments: Latex file, ps file, 4 figures Uuencoded