In this paper we study transverse polarization of $Lambda$ hyperons in single-inclusive leptonic annihilation. We show that when the transverse momentum of the $Lambda$ baryon is measured with respect to the thrust axis, a transverse momentum depende
nt (TMD) factorization formalism is required and the polarization is generated by the TMD polarizing fragmentation function (TMD PFF), $D_{1T}^perp$. However, when the transverse momentum of the $Lambda$ baryon is measured with respect to the momentum of the initial leptons, a collinear twist-3 formalism is required and the polarization is generated by the intrinsic collinear twist-3 fragmentation function $D_{T}$. Thus while these measurements differ from one another only by a change in the measurement axis, they probe different distribution functions. Recently, Belle measured a significant polarization in single-inclusive $Lambda$ baryon production as a function of the transverse momentum with respect to the thrust axis. However, this data can in principle be re-analyzed to measure the polarization as a function of the transverse momentum of the $Lambda$ baryon with respect to the lepton pair. This observable could be the first significant probe of the function, $D_{T}$. In this paper, we first develop a TMD formalism for $Lambda$ polarization; we then present a recent twist-3 formalism that was established to describe $Lambda$ polarization. Using the TMD formalism, we demonstrate that the $Lambda$ polarization at OPAL and Belle can be described using the twist-2 TMD factorization formalism. Finally, we make a theoretical prediction for this polarization in the collinear twist-3 formalism at Belle.
In this paper we perform the first simultaneous QCD global analysis of data from semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering, Drell-Yan, $e^+e^-$ annihilation into hadron pairs, and proton-proton collisions. Consequently, we are able to extract a univer
sal set of non-perturbative functions that describes the observed asymmetries in these reactions. The outcome of our analysis indicates single transverse-spin asymmetries in high-energy collisions have a common origin. Furthermore, we achieve the first phenomenological agreement with lattice QCD on the up and down quark tensor charges.
We study the process dependence of the Sivers function by considering the impact of color-gauge invariant initial and final state interactions on transverse spin asymmetries in proton-proton reactions within the framework of the transverse momentum d
ependent (TMD), generalized parton model. To this aim, we consider the azimuthal distribution of leading pions inside a fragmenting jet as well as single inclusive jet asymmetry in polarized proton proton collisions. In contrast to single inclusive pion production, in both cases we can isolate the Sivers contribution and thereby study its process dependence. The predictions for the Sivers asymmetry obtained with and without inclusion of color gauge factors are comparable in size but with opposite signs. We conclude that both processes represent unique opportunities to discriminate among the two approaches and test the universality properties of the Sivers function in hadronic reactions.
