Single spin asymmetries of inclusive hadrons produced in electron scattering from a transversely polarized 3 He target

We report the first measurement of target single spin asymmetries (A{}N$) in the inclusive hadron production reaction, $e+{{0.16em}{0ex}}{}³{He}^{{↑}}{→}h+X$, using a transversely polarized ${}³$He target. The experiment was conducted at Jefferson Lab in Hall A using a 5.9-GeV electron beam. Three types of hadrons (${{π}}^{±{}}$, ${K}^{±{}}$, and proton) were detected in the transverse hadron momentum range 0.54 $<{p}T<$ 0.74 GeV/c. The range of ${x}F$ for pions was ${-}$0.29 $<{x}F<$ ${-}$0.23 and for kaons was ${-}$0.25 $<{x}F<$ ${-}$0.18. The observed asymmetry strongly depends on the type of hadron. A positive asymmetry is observed for ${{π}}⁺$ and ${K}⁺$. A negative asymmetry is observed for ${{π}}^{{-}}$. The magnitudes of the asymmetries follow $|{A}^{{{π}}^{{-}}}|<|{A}^{{{π}}⁺}|<|{A}^{{K}⁺}|$. The K${}^{{-}}$ and proton asymmetries are consistent with zero within the experimental uncertainties. The ${{π}}⁺$ and ${{π}}^{{-}}$ asymmetries measured for the ${}³$He target and extracted for neutrons are opposite in sign with a small increase observed as a function of ${p}T$.