Transverse single-spin asymmetry in the low-virtuality leptoproduction of open charm as a probe of the gluon Sivers function

Understand

We study the low-virtuality inclusive leptoproduction of open charm, $p^\uparrow l\rightarrow D^0+X$ as a probe of the gluon Sivers function.

• We perform the analysis in a generalised parton model framework.
• At leading order, this process is sensitive only to the gluon content of the proton.
• Hence any detection of a transverse single-spin asymmetry in this process would be clear indication of a non-zero gluon Sivers function (GSF).