Tensor polarized deuteron structure: influence of polarization directionon b1 structure function extraction*

In the near future, the Jefferson Lab b₁ experiment will provide the second measurement of tensor polarized asymmetries in inclusive DIS on the deuteron.  In this asymmetry, 4 tensor polarized structure functions contribute.  This requires approximations in the extraction of the b₁ structure function. The approximations used have an extra error from the other structure functions and kinematic effects. We quantify the extra error from these approximations for two different choices for the target polarization direction (virtual photon direction, electron beam direction) using a deuteron convolution model. We then see if one direction’s error is consistently lower than the other.  For the Jefferson Lab kinematics, the extra error turns out to be comparable between the two options, while at higher Q² values the virtual photon direction is always preferred.