Recent results on the gluon polarization and W production program in polarized p + p collisions at RHIC

The PHENIX and STAR experiments at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory are carrying out a spin physics program in high-energy polarized proton collisions to gain a deeper insight into the spin structure and dynamics of the proton.

One of the main objectives is the precise determination of the polarized gluon distribution function. Recent results will be shown on the measurement of jet production and hadron production suggesting a small, but non-zero spin contribution of gluons to the proton spin.

The production of W^-(+) bosons in polarized p+p collisions opens a new era in the study of the spin-flavor structure of the proton. Recent results on the first measurements of W^-/W⁺ boson production will be shown along with a discussion of future prospects.

Argonne Physics Division Seminar Schedule