Cross section and longitudinal single-spin asymmetry $A_L$ for forward $W^{\pm}\rightarrow\mu^{\pm}\nu$ production in polarized $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=510$ GeV

The PHENIX collaboration Adare, A. ; Aidala, C. ; Ajitanand, N.N. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.D 98 (2018) 032007, 2018.
Inspire Record 1667398 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.141628

We have measured the cross section and single spin asymmetries from forward $W^{\pm}\rightarrow\mu^{\pm}\nu$ production in longitudinally polarized $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=510$ GeV using the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The cross sections are consistent with previous measurements at this collision energy, while the most forward and backward longitudinal single spin asymmetries provide new insights into the sea quark helicities in the proton. The charge of the W bosons provides a natural flavor separation of the participating partons.

2 data tables

Single-spin asymmetries at forward $A^{FW}_L$ and backward $A^{BW}_L$ rapidities for $p$+$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 510 GeV for results in 2013 and 2012, plus combined results for both years.

The total $W$ boson production cross sections for $p$+$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 510 GeV for $\sigma$($W^+$ $\rightarrow$ $\mu^+$) and $\sigma$($W^-$ $\rightarrow$ $\mu^-$).