Two-hadron interference fragmentation functions. Part I: general framework

TL;DR

This paper develops a general framework for interference fragmentation functions arising when two hadrons are produced in the same jet. It shows that final-state interactions enable naive T-odd fragmentation functions, and identifies four leading-twist FF—$D_1$, $G_1^{ot}$, $H_1^{ riangleleft}$, and $H_1^{ot}$—through a quark–quark fragmentation correlator projected onto Dirac structures. The authors demonstrate how azimuthal asymmetries in two-hadron inclusive DIS, with various beam and target polarizations, can isolate these FF and, in particular, access the transversity distribution $h_1$ via the chiral-odd FF $H_1^{ riangleleft}$ or $H_1^{ot}$. This work lays the groundwork for using dihadron final states to study hadron structure and residual jet interactions, with planned future modeling in a spectator framework.

Abstract

We investigate the properties of interference fragmentation functions measurable from the distribution of two hadrons produced in the same jet in the current fragmentation region of a hard process. We discuss the azimuthal angular dependences in the leading order cross section of two-hadron inclusive lepton-nucleon scattering as an example how these interference fragmentation functions can be addressed separately.

Figures (7)

• Figure 1: Amplitude for a one-hadron semi-inclusive DIS with possible residual interactions in the final state of the detected leading hadron.
• Figure 2: Quark-quark correlation function $\Delta$ for the fragmentation of a quark into a hadron. A simple model assumption for the hadronization process is also indicated.
• Figure 3: Quark-quark correlation function for the fragmentation of a quark into a pair of hadrons.
• Figure 4: Kinematics for a fragmenting quark jet containing a pair of leading hadrons.
• Figure 5: Probabilistic interpretation for the leading order FF arising in the decay of a current quark into a pair of unpolarized hadrons.