Exclusive production of $\rho^0$ mesons was studied at the COMPASS experiment by scattering 160 GeV/$c$ muons off transversely polarised protons. Five single-spin and three double-spin azimuthal asymmetries were measured as a function of $Q^2$, $x_{Bj}$, or $p_{T}^{2}$. The $\sin \phi_S$ asymmetry is found to be $-0.019 \pm 0.008(stat.) \pm 0.003(syst.)$. All other asymmetries are also found to be of small magnitude and consistent with zero within experimental uncertainties. Very recent calculations using a GPD-based model agree well with the present results. The data is interpreted as evidence for the existence of chiral-odd, transverse generalized parton distributions.
Single-spin azimuthal asymmetries for a transversely (T) polarised target and unpolarised (U) beam.
Single-spin azimuthal asymmetries for a transversely (T) polarised target and unpolarised (U) beam.
Single-spin azimuthal asymmetries for a transversely (T) polarised target and unpolarised (U) beam.
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