Semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering off a tensor-polarized spin-1 target

Abstract: We investigate the semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering off a tensor-polarized spin-1 target, focusing on the production of an unpolarized hadron. The complete differential cross section is expressed in terms of 23 structure functions, which depend on the spin states of the target and the azimuthal modulations of the final-state hadron. Within the transverse momentum dependent (TMD) factorization framework, we derive the hadronic tensor using quark-quark correlators and quark-gluon-quark correlators up to twist-3. At tree-level, 21 nonvanishing structure functions are obtained at the leading and subleading twist, expressed as convolutions of TMD parton distribution functions and TMD fragmentation functions. The measurement of these nonzero structure functions can be utilized to explore the tensor-polarized structure of spin-1 particles, offering insights into their internal dynamics.