Observation of W decay in 500 GeV p+p collisions at RHIC

Abstract

W boson production is observed in $\sqrt{s}=500$ GeV proton proton collisions at RHIC-PHENIX experiment. The single longitudinal spin asymmetry $A_L(\overrightarrow{p}p\to W^{+}X)$ is measured via decay positrons in the mid rapidity region. The asymmetry $-0.83\pm 0.31\pm (11$ scale uncertainty) is consistent with calculations from various polarized parton distribution functions.

4 pages, Proceedings of the Lake Louise Winter Institute, 15th-20th February 2010, Alberta, Canada