QCD spin physics: Partonic spin structure of the nucleon

Abstract

We discuss some recent developments concerning the nucleon's helicity parton distribution functions: new preliminary data from jet production at RHIC suggest for the first time a non-vanishing polarization of gluons in the nucleon. SIDIS measurements at COMPASS provide better constraints on the strange and light sea quark helicity distributions. Single-longitudinal spin asymmetries in W-boson production have been observed at RHIC and will ultimately give new insights into the light quark and anti-quark helicity structure of the nucleon. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.