Abstract

We calculate the cross section and single-spin azimuthal asymmetry, A n(t) for inclusive neutron production in pp collisions at forward rapidities relative to the polarized proton. Absorptive corrections to the pion pole generate a relative phase between the spin-flip and non-flip amplitudes, which leads to an appreciable spin asymmetry. However, the asymmetry observed recently in the PHENIX experiment at RHIC at very small |t|?0.01GeV 2 cannot be explained by this mechanism. © American Institute of Physics.