We measure forward cross sections for production of D+, D0, Ds, D*+, and Λc in collisions of π±, K±, and p on a nuclear target. Production induced by different beam particles is found to be the same within statistics. Strange and baryonic final states are seen to contribute appreciably to the total charm cross section, which our measurements indicate is larger than but consistent with QCD predictions. The energy dependence mapped out by these and previous measurements is consistent with theory. Leading-particle asymmetry measurements for K and p-induced charm production are also presented.
Leading particle asymmetries defined as (SIG(LEADING)- SIG(NONLEADING))/(SIG(LEADING)+SIG(NONLEADING)).
The first measurements of $x_F$-dependent single spin asymmetries of identified charged hadrons, $\pi^{\pm}$, $K^{\pm}$, and protons, from transversely polarized proton-proton collisions at 62.4 GeV at RHIC are presented. The measurements extend to high-$x_F$ ($|x_F|\sim 0.6$) in both the forward and backward directions.Large asymmetries are seen in the pion and kaon channels. The asymmetries in inclusive $\pi^{+}$ production, $A_N(\pi^+)$, increase with $x_F$ from 0 to $\sim$0.25 %at $x_F = 0.6$ and $A_N(\pi^{-})$ decrease from 0 to $\sim$$-$0.4. Even though $K^-$ contains no valence quarks, observed asymmetries for $K^-$ unexpectedly show positive values similar to those for $K^+$, increasing with $x_F$, whereas proton asymmetries are consistent with zero over the measured kinematic range. Comparisons of the data with predictions of QCD-based models are presented. The flavor dependent single spin asymmetry measurements of identified hadrons allow for stringent tests of theoretical models of partonic dynamics in the RHIC energy regime.
$A_{N}$ versus $x_{\mathrm{F}}$ for $\mathrm{\pi}^{-}$ in $\mathrm{p}\mathrm{p}$ at $\sqrt{s}=62.4\,\mathrm{Ge\!V}$
$A_{N}$ versus $x_{\mathrm{F}}$ for $\mathrm{\pi}^{-}$ in $\mathrm{p}\mathrm{p}$ at $\sqrt{s}=62.4\,\mathrm{Ge\!V}$
$A_{N}$ versus $x_{\mathrm{F}}$ for $\mathrm{\pi}^{+}$ in $\mathrm{p}\mathrm{p}$ at $\sqrt{s}=62.4\,\mathrm{Ge\!V}$
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