Hadronic Spin Dependence and the Use of Coulomb-Nuclear Interference as a Polarimeter

Abstract

Coulomb-nuclear interference in the single transverse spin asymmetry A_N is often considered as a possible absolute polarimeter for proton beams. The main uncertainty in this is the unknown hadronic spin-flip amplitude. This uncertainty is analyzed here in the context of the challenge of a 5% polarization measurement at RHIC. Possible constraints on the spin-flip amplitude from measurements of the differential cross-section and the double transverse spin asymmetry A_{NN} are discussed.

Comments: 9 pages Latex, 5 eps figures