Next-to-leading order effects on a transversity bound

The effect of next-to-leading order corrections (NLOC) on the transversity bound proposed by Soffer is reexamined. With proper definition of NLOC it i s shown that the effect is significant, substantially strengthening the bou nd for all q = u, d and s quarks; the reason is explained. Assuming that th e bound is saturated at Q(0)(2) = 4 GeV2 and evolving the next-to-leading o rder unpolarized, helicity and transversity distributions to Q(2) > Q(0)(2) via 2-loop anomalous dimensions we find that the bound is preserved. (C) 1 998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.