On the dependence of the single-spin asymmetry of charged pions on kinematical variables

The experimental single-spin asymmetry (A _N ) of charged pions produced in proton-proton and proton-nucleus collisions is analyzed phenomenologically as a function of kinematical variables. It is shown that the c.m. pion threshold energy (E ₀ ^c.m. ) above which |A _N | is positive depends on the reaction energy √s and on the particle-production angle θ ^c.m.. The dependence of the single-spin asymmetry on the kinematical variables in the region specified by the inequalities 0.7 < p _T < 2.7 GeV/c and E ^c.m. > E ₀ ^c.m. exhibits a scaling behavior. The dependence of A _N on √s proves to be significant at moderate and low energies. Formulas that make it possible to predict the behavior of A _N for charged pions over a broad region of kinematical variables are derived.