Transverse single-spin asymmetry of midrapidity π0 and η mesons in p plus Au and p plus Al collisions at SQUARE ROOTsNN=200 GeV

Abstract

Presented are the first measurements of the transverse single-spin asymmetries (AN) for neutral pions and eta mesons in p + Au and p + Al collisions at ffiffiffiffiffiffiffip = 200 GeV in the pseudorapidity range itii < 0.35 sNN with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The asymmetries are consistent with zero, similar to those for midrapidity neutral pions and eta mesons produced in p + p collisions. These measurements show no evidence of additional effects that could potentially arise from the more complex partonic environment present in proton-nucleus collisions.