Differential cross-sections, charge production asymmetry, and spin density matrix elements for D*+-(2010) produced in 500-GeV/c pi- nucleon interactions

Abstract We report differential cross sections for the production of D ∗± (2010) produced in 500 GeV/ c π − -nucleon interactions from experiment E791 at Fermilab, as functions of Feynman- x ( x F ) and transverse momentum squared ( p T 2 ). We also report the D ∗± charge asymmetry and spin-density matrix elements as functions of these variables. Investigation of the spin-density matrix elements shows no evidence of polarization. The average values of the spin alignment are 〈 η 〉=0.01±0.02 and −0.01±0.02 for leading and non-leading particles, respectively.