Transverse single-spin asymmetry of midrapidity $π^0$ and $\textit{η}$ mesons in $\textit{p}$ + Au and $\textit{p}$ + Al collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV

Presented are the first measurements of the transverse single-spin asymmetries ($A_N$) for neutral pions and eta mesons in $\textit{p}$ + Au and $\textit{p}$ + Al collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV in the pseudorapidity range |$\textit{η}$| < 0.35 with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The asymmetries are consistent with zero, similar to those for midrapidity neutral pions and eta mesons produced in $\textit{p}$ + $\textit{p}$ collisions. These measurements show no evidence of additional effects that could potentially arise from the more complex partonic environment present in proton-nucleus collisions.